Yesterday on my drive home, I saw something that warmed my heart and renewed my belief that there are good people left in the world. A gentleman had broken down in the middle turning lane. Three random guys stopped to help him push his vehicle into a parking lot of a near by store.I also noticed that a lady in the lane that would have to be crossed had stopped, in order to hold up oncoming traffic.
It was so nice to see someone helping out someone else, just simply because they needed it. A lot of times we get so caught up in our own lives, and goings on that we forget to look around and see whats going on. Growing up in the South, your raised to help your neighbor, just because he is your neighbor and it's the right thing to do. You don't do it because you could possibly get something out of it or for recognition. It is something you do just because it needs to be done. Times have changed a lot since I was a kid, even though it hasn't been that long ago. Helping others is not as common place as it once was, but boy was it nice to see.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
So that is what tha feels like
We had a little moment of confusion Friday afternoon, and for what seemed like hours, but actually was maybe 15 minutes, I thought my child was missing. Now let me explain that a little better, Thing 1 was suppose to ride the bus the entire route, because his normal after school sitter, is the bus driver. Well instead of going home with the driver, Granny was going to meet them at school at the end of the route, and take him to the "beauty shop". I get a text message asking, I do have Thing 1 today right. My reply was a simple sure do, why. Well apparently this little fella managed to get on the bus without being seen. This was a first. So I call the school, and in the mean time find out he is where he is suppose to be. I literally felt like I was going to be sick.
Minutes seemed like hours. The relieve that I felt when I found out he was where he was suppose to be, was unlike anything else I had ever felt. I could have cried.
But for that brief amount of time, I was afraid. Now don't be mistaken, I have been scared before. This was different. This little snaggle toothed little boy had me feeling a kind of afraid I had never felt. It hit me just how much my little boys mean to me. I have loved my children since the moment I knew they were coming. I will do without to make sure they have. I would give my life for them without thinking twice. But the thought that one of them may not be where they were suppose to be and not having a clue where they were made me realize just how much of my life is impacted by them.
I guess the statement is true, my life is not my own anymore. My world really does revolve around these boys. These two really do fill any holes I may have had in my heart. I am so thankful that I was chosen to be their mom. I think I am the lucky one as far as that goes.
Minutes seemed like hours. The relieve that I felt when I found out he was where he was suppose to be, was unlike anything else I had ever felt. I could have cried.
But for that brief amount of time, I was afraid. Now don't be mistaken, I have been scared before. This was different. This little snaggle toothed little boy had me feeling a kind of afraid I had never felt. It hit me just how much my little boys mean to me. I have loved my children since the moment I knew they were coming. I will do without to make sure they have. I would give my life for them without thinking twice. But the thought that one of them may not be where they were suppose to be and not having a clue where they were made me realize just how much of my life is impacted by them.
I guess the statement is true, my life is not my own anymore. My world really does revolve around these boys. These two really do fill any holes I may have had in my heart. I am so thankful that I was chosen to be their mom. I think I am the lucky one as far as that goes.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Hello weekend
It has been a hectic week this week. This strikes me as odd, because nothing was out of the ordinary. We had no extra activities planned during the week, so other than a few trips to Wal-mart, we were home every night.
I think it is just simply because the hours of sunlight are shrinking. I am not complaining, because that means daylight savings time is almost over. I HATE daylight savings time. I desperately need that extra hour of sleep.
The wild ones, better know as Thing 1 and Thing 2 are just that wild. There are days I feel like I am living in my own episodes of Animal Atlas, between wild animal sounds, and just the general chaos associated with a 7 year old and 4 year old its basically a zoo.
It is fundraiser time at school again. I don't really know how we are going to manage having two selling the exact same things at the exact same time.
Hubs has to work all weekend, so it will be just the boys and I. Tomorrow will be filled with errands, groceries, and prep work for whatever I am fixing for a family reunion.
Hello glorious weekend.
I think it is just simply because the hours of sunlight are shrinking. I am not complaining, because that means daylight savings time is almost over. I HATE daylight savings time. I desperately need that extra hour of sleep.
The wild ones, better know as Thing 1 and Thing 2 are just that wild. There are days I feel like I am living in my own episodes of Animal Atlas, between wild animal sounds, and just the general chaos associated with a 7 year old and 4 year old its basically a zoo.
It is fundraiser time at school again. I don't really know how we are going to manage having two selling the exact same things at the exact same time.
Hubs has to work all weekend, so it will be just the boys and I. Tomorrow will be filled with errands, groceries, and prep work for whatever I am fixing for a family reunion.
Hello glorious weekend.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Common courtesy isn't so common
Last night while doing my monthly shopping run, well the first part anyway, we are in Wal-mart, and as we are walking the aisles, I make my kids say excuse me, as do I, when we are passing people. This gets a few, oh your fines, but it gets a few odd glances to. While we were in the check out lane, Thing 1 and I are working on putting our stuff on the counter and I over hear the Cashier tell Thing 2, Well I am not really that old. I am mortified. I know what my child has just said. He looks at her and says yes your old. I of course swat his bottom, because he is being mean. I apologize to the lady and tell her he has no censor button, and tell her the story of him calling my mother in law old. Hopefully she wasn't offended after all he is only 4, and in his mind my 16 year old nephew is old.
So we proceed to Subway to grab Hubs and I supper, of as the kids call it Subway Eat Fresh. While standing in line ordering our food the man in front of me is paying for his supper, and drops money out of his pocket. I see he has done so. I pick it up and hand it to him and say Sir you dropped this. It after all is what you are suppose to do. Well it is in my world anyway.
The gentleman says several thank yous which I of course say your welcome to. A couple of seconds later I hear the man say, let me get 3 cookies. When asked what kind, he tells the cashier to let my kids pick them out. I am a little stunned, and politely say, no thank you because of Thing 1's food allergy he can't have them. He then offers to buy them chips, which I tell him we are actually headed to get them Happy Meals. He then says he will put in a tip for me in the jar. I say thank you, and finish paying and am headed out the door. He then meets me in the parking lot and hands me business cards. He is an electrician, and says if I ever need electrical work to call and he will cut me a good deal.
I didn't think much about it last night, but did look at his cards this morning. He lives right down the street from me. I ride by his house one the way to school every morning.
I was a little shocked at how he was amazed that I gave him his money. I am not bragging by any means. I would hope that anyone would act in the same way. It simply is the right thing to do.
However after having a chat with Hubs last night, apparently common decency is not as common as it should be now. I maybe naive, but I was raised that you do the right thing simply because it's the right thing to do. It's not done because you may gain something from it, or get recognition, but just because. I am a firm believer in the Golden Rule. It is practiced at home, I am trying to instill it in my children. We are not a do as I say not as I do family. If I expect my children to behave a certain way, I have to first show them how to do it. I am the mom it's my job.
I will admit it made me feel really good, especially after what can be defined simply as a day from Hades.
So we proceed to Subway to grab Hubs and I supper, of as the kids call it Subway Eat Fresh. While standing in line ordering our food the man in front of me is paying for his supper, and drops money out of his pocket. I see he has done so. I pick it up and hand it to him and say Sir you dropped this. It after all is what you are suppose to do. Well it is in my world anyway.
The gentleman says several thank yous which I of course say your welcome to. A couple of seconds later I hear the man say, let me get 3 cookies. When asked what kind, he tells the cashier to let my kids pick them out. I am a little stunned, and politely say, no thank you because of Thing 1's food allergy he can't have them. He then offers to buy them chips, which I tell him we are actually headed to get them Happy Meals. He then says he will put in a tip for me in the jar. I say thank you, and finish paying and am headed out the door. He then meets me in the parking lot and hands me business cards. He is an electrician, and says if I ever need electrical work to call and he will cut me a good deal.
I didn't think much about it last night, but did look at his cards this morning. He lives right down the street from me. I ride by his house one the way to school every morning.
I was a little shocked at how he was amazed that I gave him his money. I am not bragging by any means. I would hope that anyone would act in the same way. It simply is the right thing to do.
However after having a chat with Hubs last night, apparently common decency is not as common as it should be now. I maybe naive, but I was raised that you do the right thing simply because it's the right thing to do. It's not done because you may gain something from it, or get recognition, but just because. I am a firm believer in the Golden Rule. It is practiced at home, I am trying to instill it in my children. We are not a do as I say not as I do family. If I expect my children to behave a certain way, I have to first show them how to do it. I am the mom it's my job.
I will admit it made me feel really good, especially after what can be defined simply as a day from Hades.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Since when did sleeping in mean 645?
Apparently the ability to sleep in ended sometime around May 15, 2004. Why exactly would I say that date? Well, this was around the time that sleep became impossible in my pregnancy with Thing 1, and has yet to return. While I will be the first one to tell you that I love my life, I do yurn for a Saturday morning when everyone in the house sleeps till at least 745. I realize this is a long time away, as the boys are only 7 and 4.
Hubs is working this weekend, day shift thankfully. The weekends that he works days are very simple. He is up between 430 and 515 for his shift to start at 530. I may or may not get up when he does. This is all determined by him needing to find either socks, underwear, or he needs a new uniform put together. However if I do, then once he leaves, I will turn on The Country Network, which plays country music videos obviously, and snuggle back in my comfy bed and drift off to dream. For all of an hour if I am lucky.
Then my little alarm clock goes off. Well it's not really little. It's a roughly 4 feet tall, 60 pound, blond haired blue eyed boy that calls me mom. Yes that is correct, Thing 2 arises shortly after the sun. All to ask one simple question...Will you fix me some breakfast? Now we go back and forth on this for a bit, me trying to get him to snuggle in with me, him trying to get me out of bed.
I finally get up, and go through my little routine, and manage to feed the starving child all fairly quickly.
Thankfully the weekends that Hubs works are normally early bedtime nights, for him and us. We were all tucked in and half of the house was asleep well before 930 last night. The other half of the house...Thing 2 and yours truly...had a nice little round of jump the bed. He was up till almost midnight. Finally I had to tell him, I am going to sleep, which means you need to also. So not only is the child an early bird, he is a night owl.
So for now I will continue to be tired, as it is a chosen condition, ya know since I wanted kids and all. At least I have most of the day to be productive.
Hubs is working this weekend, day shift thankfully. The weekends that he works days are very simple. He is up between 430 and 515 for his shift to start at 530. I may or may not get up when he does. This is all determined by him needing to find either socks, underwear, or he needs a new uniform put together. However if I do, then once he leaves, I will turn on The Country Network, which plays country music videos obviously, and snuggle back in my comfy bed and drift off to dream. For all of an hour if I am lucky.
Then my little alarm clock goes off. Well it's not really little. It's a roughly 4 feet tall, 60 pound, blond haired blue eyed boy that calls me mom. Yes that is correct, Thing 2 arises shortly after the sun. All to ask one simple question...Will you fix me some breakfast? Now we go back and forth on this for a bit, me trying to get him to snuggle in with me, him trying to get me out of bed.
I finally get up, and go through my little routine, and manage to feed the starving child all fairly quickly.
Thankfully the weekends that Hubs works are normally early bedtime nights, for him and us. We were all tucked in and half of the house was asleep well before 930 last night. The other half of the house...Thing 2 and yours truly...had a nice little round of jump the bed. He was up till almost midnight. Finally I had to tell him, I am going to sleep, which means you need to also. So not only is the child an early bird, he is a night owl.
So for now I will continue to be tired, as it is a chosen condition, ya know since I wanted kids and all. At least I have most of the day to be productive.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Time Goes By
I have often said the older I get the faster time goes. It seems like not that long ago I was graduating high school figuring out what I wanted to be when I grew up. That was 12 years ago. It also seems like I was just meeting the man I would eventually marry and make a family with. That was 10 and a half years ago. What's even harder to believe, is that it seems like yesterday I was sitting on my parents bed with my mama, at 3 in the morning, watching Madea movies and all the Golden Girls episodes she had DVR'd while sitting beside my Dad waiting for him to take his last breath. That was two years ago today. Ironically I was doing the same thing at 7:55 this morning as I was that morning. I had to leave their house just long enough to take Thing 1 to school. He was in kindergarten then. I walked in with him that morning to tell the teacher that in the next few days he would be missing school because my Dad wouldn't be with us much longer. I came back out to my vehicle, to see a missed call from my mom telling me he was gone. I walked in with him this morning just to see how he was doing in school so far. Now he is in second grade.
While it seems like those 2 years have flew by, it still seems like just yesterday. Time doesn't heal all wounds, it heals some, and makes the rest a little easier to deal with. It does however march on no matter what we do to try and stop it.
Even though it has been 2 years since we lost my Daddy, he lives on in memories, and thoughts, and even in actions. The grand kids show a lot of his characteristics. We will continue to miss Daddy, and think about him everyday; but we will be able to deal with it a little easier. So for now I will squeeze my kids a little tighter tonight because time goes by and I won't have babies much longer.Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Count your blessings
I am not sure if it is because I am getting older, or just life experience, but I am a lot more thankful for what I have. I will be the first person to admit, I do not lead a glamorous life. I life simply, and as peacefully as you can with small kids. I don't have a new fancy house, or drive brand new cars. That is perfectly fine with me. What I do have more than makes up for that. What I have is 1) a home that is more than a house. It is paid for, so I don't have to worry about losing it if heaven forbid my husband or I lose a job. 2) reliable transportation. All of our vehicles are paid for, and are in good running order. I may not have the most fuel efficient mode of transportation but it is ours, and it serves it's purpose well. 3) I have food in the cabinets, and thankfully food in a freezer. 4) I have a job...that I enjoy. Those two things now a days are rare. 5) My family has clothes on their back.
These are the little things I am thankful for. Now for the really big stuff.
1) I have a husband that I is there for me and for our children. While there are times he gets on my nervous, and does things I don't exactly like; I love him just as he is. We have been together through so many things in the 10 years we have been together. Some amazing, and wonderful while other things have been times that have tested us as a couple but we have survived together. We have been through the death of parents far earlier than we would have ever dreamed. But all of these things have made our marriage stronger.
2) Thing 1 and Thing 2. I have heard it before and believe it to be true...I honestly don't remember life before kids. What did I do with my time? These two little boys make me happy, proud, sad, mad, and every emotion between. I am truly blessed to have been picked to be their mom and can not wait to see the men they will become. Well I can wait, they are growing fast enough as is.
3) My family. This is a group of people that are so diverse but at the same time have a bond that no matter what can't be broken. We may not always like each other but no matter what, we love each other and that is all that matters. My family has been referred to as the "Cavalry". Any one of them is just a phone call away, and they will ride in and help with whatever is needed.
4) My in laws. When my husband and I married, I gained a wonderful new family. Not everyone is that lucky.
5) My friends. While this group is a lot smaller than most, it is the core group of people I need in my life. These people are the ones that no matter what will stand by me and my family and support us. These are also the ones that I know are there for me and my family anytime day or night, and they know the same goes for them. The number of true friends I have is not large by any means but they more than fill the role of a friend.
6) My health. I maybe a little to short for my height, but myself and my family are all healthy.
7) My childhood. I grew up in a home that I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt I was loved. I still know that at 30 years old. I had a mom and dad that were there for me no matter what. They made sure I had everything I needed and even some stuff I wanted. I never had to go without food or clothes or a home.
I am a lucky girl. I am a happy girl. No my life isn't perfect, it never has been, and never will be. I am however, grateful for what I have.
These are the little things I am thankful for. Now for the really big stuff.
1) I have a husband that I is there for me and for our children. While there are times he gets on my nervous, and does things I don't exactly like; I love him just as he is. We have been together through so many things in the 10 years we have been together. Some amazing, and wonderful while other things have been times that have tested us as a couple but we have survived together. We have been through the death of parents far earlier than we would have ever dreamed. But all of these things have made our marriage stronger.
2) Thing 1 and Thing 2. I have heard it before and believe it to be true...I honestly don't remember life before kids. What did I do with my time? These two little boys make me happy, proud, sad, mad, and every emotion between. I am truly blessed to have been picked to be their mom and can not wait to see the men they will become. Well I can wait, they are growing fast enough as is.
3) My family. This is a group of people that are so diverse but at the same time have a bond that no matter what can't be broken. We may not always like each other but no matter what, we love each other and that is all that matters. My family has been referred to as the "Cavalry". Any one of them is just a phone call away, and they will ride in and help with whatever is needed.
4) My in laws. When my husband and I married, I gained a wonderful new family. Not everyone is that lucky.
5) My friends. While this group is a lot smaller than most, it is the core group of people I need in my life. These people are the ones that no matter what will stand by me and my family and support us. These are also the ones that I know are there for me and my family anytime day or night, and they know the same goes for them. The number of true friends I have is not large by any means but they more than fill the role of a friend.
6) My health. I maybe a little to short for my height, but myself and my family are all healthy.
7) My childhood. I grew up in a home that I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt I was loved. I still know that at 30 years old. I had a mom and dad that were there for me no matter what. They made sure I had everything I needed and even some stuff I wanted. I never had to go without food or clothes or a home.
I am a lucky girl. I am a happy girl. No my life isn't perfect, it never has been, and never will be. I am however, grateful for what I have.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Another sign that I might be getting older
With Labor Day weekend comes last minute end of summer trips. We made a weekend trip to the beach. It has been great. A day of surf, sand, and sun. The best part...not getting sun burnt. It helps that we are still tanned from a week at the beach less than a month ago.
However with being on a mini vacation comes sleeping away from home. I have never been one to notice the difference in sleeping in my bed, and in a different bed. Until I hit 30. Now, if I am sleeping away from home, I can feel it. Almost the minute I lay down. Hubs and I both prefer an ice cold room. What's the point in having nice thick bed covers if it is too hot to use them? Also our mattress is, well molded to us I suppose. It is firm without being hard, but still somewhat soft without being lumpy. Overall it is just a comfy place to snuggle into and relax. I don't usually wake up stiff and sore from it.
I remember when I was a kid my parents had a bed in the spare bedroom, this particular bed is still talked about even though Mom doesn't have it anymore. This really and truly was the best sleeping bed in the world. Whenever my siblings would come to visit after growing up and moving away from home, they would try to be the first ones there to claim this bed. While this bed was nothing special it just slept great. I found myself sleeping in there a lot once I got older. There are times even now, after being in my own home for almost 9 years, I still long for a nap in that bed.
However vacation season is ending this weekend, this weekend. And we are going home today, so I can enjoy my day off tomorrow at home, doing wifely/momish things, such as laundry and cleaning. I am looking forward to it. Mostly I am looking forward to snuggling into my nice comfy bed, in my nice cold room, and sleeping in as late as I can, which translates into about 730...if I am lucky.
However with being on a mini vacation comes sleeping away from home. I have never been one to notice the difference in sleeping in my bed, and in a different bed. Until I hit 30. Now, if I am sleeping away from home, I can feel it. Almost the minute I lay down. Hubs and I both prefer an ice cold room. What's the point in having nice thick bed covers if it is too hot to use them? Also our mattress is, well molded to us I suppose. It is firm without being hard, but still somewhat soft without being lumpy. Overall it is just a comfy place to snuggle into and relax. I don't usually wake up stiff and sore from it.
I remember when I was a kid my parents had a bed in the spare bedroom, this particular bed is still talked about even though Mom doesn't have it anymore. This really and truly was the best sleeping bed in the world. Whenever my siblings would come to visit after growing up and moving away from home, they would try to be the first ones there to claim this bed. While this bed was nothing special it just slept great. I found myself sleeping in there a lot once I got older. There are times even now, after being in my own home for almost 9 years, I still long for a nap in that bed.
However vacation season is ending this weekend, this weekend. And we are going home today, so I can enjoy my day off tomorrow at home, doing wifely/momish things, such as laundry and cleaning. I am looking forward to it. Mostly I am looking forward to snuggling into my nice comfy bed, in my nice cold room, and sleeping in as late as I can, which translates into about 730...if I am lucky.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
The stuffies
It is that time of year again. Fall is slowly making it's way to my house. THANK THE GOOD LORD!! While being Southern by birth, I am accustom to certain things. We have the most beautiful flowers growing in the spring, and everything is a bright green and yellow. The yellow is the pollen. Summers are easy to forecast...Hot, Hazy, and Humid, with a chance of afternoon or evening thundershowers, some possibly sever (I may have said that before). Fall is a little different. Of course you have the leaves changing colors, but that really doesn't start for about another month. The first sign of Fall is the cooler nights. Most of the summer we were happy to have nights in the 70's. Well now we are having nights in the 60's. Oh the happiness this gives me. The days are a little cooler to. While this overjoys me, it does sadden me just a touch. Simply because, beach and flip flop weather is almost over.
However for a brief time, it will be shorts and long sleeve t-shirts, and of course flip flops. This helps heal the heart a bit.
I must admit to praying for snow again this winter. It was really nice playing in the snow with the family, then enjoying big bowls of snow cream. And of course homemade soup and chilli. NOM NOM NOM.
While I hate to see summer ending, I do look forward to all the fun and festivities and oh yeah food that come with cooler weather. Now to get rid of these blasted sniffles that have hit my nose, and well all of the boys in my house to. Oh well, this to shall pass.
However for a brief time, it will be shorts and long sleeve t-shirts, and of course flip flops. This helps heal the heart a bit.
I must admit to praying for snow again this winter. It was really nice playing in the snow with the family, then enjoying big bowls of snow cream. And of course homemade soup and chilli. NOM NOM NOM.
While I hate to see summer ending, I do look forward to all the fun and festivities and oh yeah food that come with cooler weather. Now to get rid of these blasted sniffles that have hit my nose, and well all of the boys in my house to. Oh well, this to shall pass.
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