Well at least he has a vision.

      On our way home from choir practice and mid-week school tonight, my youngest and I had a conversation about his future plans. I was curious if he ever gave much thought to what he wanted to be when he grew up. I can't remember how old I was when I started thinking about it, but I'm sure it was sometime in elementary. I know I changed my mind about my future career several times over, so I wasn't expecting him to have it all pinned down and definite. I simply wanted to know if he was still in the, "I'm going to be an astronaut, and a fireman, and a football player," phase.
      Well he doesn't know what his career goals are, but he does have plans. Boy does he have plans. He told me that he doesn't know what he's going to be when he's done with college, but while he's in college he will be working at Subway. He even has stories about working there. He told me about the time he was closing up the store (The one he doesn't work at yet.) and this guy came up asking if the store was closing. He told the customer that yes, he was closing, but he is such a nice guy that he would open back up and fix the sandwiches he wanted. Then Jack-Jack adds, "And can you believe that he didn't order sandwiches? He ordered 3 salads. Do you know how many dishes that dirties?" I was struck dumb. I couldn't believe that he had given this that much thought. I'm still wrapping my head around it.
       What I am sure of, is that his heart is pure joy and sincerity and he loves and works with his whole self. I am reasonably sure that if he ever does work at Subway and some guy comes in during closing time, that Jack-Jack will probably open the store back up, and if the guy orders salads, not sandwiches, Jack-Jack will not complain. He'll make them with a smile and a joyful heart.

Time to Return

       I had stopped blogging many years ago because I was busy. I was a mom of two and wife to one and that took a lot of time. I was also a full time teacher and that took even more time. I spent more time at school and preparing for school than I did with my own family. That was a problem, so I cut some things out. Blogging was one of them. 
      I am still a mom of two fabulous children, I am still married to an amazing man who I don't always deserve, and I am still teaching full time. So what changed? I need to write. I need to share.
I don't think I have all of the answers or deep insights on all things, however I do know that I have experienced so much in my short life and I see more than people think I do. I am also working hard to enjoy things more. I want to SEE everything I can and slow down. So this is my attempt. I don't want this blog to be perfect. I don't want it to win awards. I simply want to write and share. We shall see how it all goes.

Growing up!

      I try to be a good mom, and my husband...he's a fantastic father.  So imagine our surprise when we finally took Clarabella to the optometrist and discovered she needed glasses. We had been putting it off because there were only two weeks of school left and our yearly appointments are "summer" things. However, when Clara came home two days in a row with severe headaches and then stopped dancing in ballet class one evening we knew we couldn't wait anymore. Yep, we felt like really delinquent parents when she came back with a prescription. She looks adorable in them though. Now Jak thinks he needs some too.

"I Did It My Way!"

So we know that it is important to allow your children to express their "individuality," and I whole-heartedly agree; for now; at this point; in this moment in time, etc. But how will I feel later on in their lives?

Will I agree with their self-expression if it involves pierced body parts other than ears? Will I agree with various colored hair that leads people to believe my children are some mutant humans that have ties to the peacock family? Furthermore, will I support my children if they rally against something I'm in favor of? Will I support their choice of profession? Will I support their faith, if they decide to follow a different denomination than that in which they were raised?

My answer for now;

I honestly don't know what I'll do, or how I'll react.

I do know that I love them with all my heart. I know that my world revolves around them. I know that I have made mistakes and will continue to do so, but not without the best of intentions. At this present moment in their lives I can say, "I did it my way." However, I am well aware of there being a time when they will look at me, smile in that special way, and say, "Hey Mom, I need to do it MY WAY." I pray that I will have the strength to accept that with a smile. I pray that I will have raised them to make the best decisions. I also pray that their father can accept it as well. You might need to pray for him too.

Look Honey...I rigged it...

Yes, this may be a long story.

The week of Christmas my mother, aunt and I were doing some last minute shopping and stopped at a local educator store. They had a cup of caterpillars on the counter and I inquired about them. The lady behind the counter said that the company had sent them a box-full accidentally. What??? Really??? She asked if we wanted them...so of course I thought sure, why not? Clara would loved to watch the metamorphosis take place and Jak may be interested in some part of it so sure, we'll take the cup of "callapittars."

My family and I finish up paying for our presents and then get ready to leave and the lady behind the counter comes out from the back room with a box; a rather large box. I managed to peek inside before I got it to the car and voila; there were seven little cups of caterpillars. Wow...we are going to have a LOT of observation going on and a LOT of metamorphosissing going on. (Yes, I know that isn't an official word; but I liked it.) Today we had some of our first friends arrive...so we had to make their house up quickly. I don't know about you, but I don't have a lot of butterfly habitats hanging around my house so we had to rig something up pretty fast. And so we did...

Like it?

The hatchlings seem happy and we have lots more to go. We'll keep you posted on their progress.

I Make No Apologies....yet...

PROMISES, PROMISES!!

Here it is the new year and many people are in the midst of making their resolutions. So what kind of resolutions are you making? Are you promising to do something more or are you resolving to quit doing something else? Are you going to lose weight? Are you going to take less for granted? What shall it be?

I don't honestly know where to begin for my "new me." I have many things I could improve upon and the one I will begin with is my apologies. I find myself "sorry" too often for too many things and quit often there is nothing I should be apologizing for. I have sincere thoughts and a sound mind so why should I apologize for expressing my opinions when asked for them? So therefore....I will NOT.

YEARLY PHOTOS

We finally got the children to the photographer. I love taking their Christmas pictures and seeing how much they've grown throughout the year. This year we decided to do some more casual looking pictures and I think they enjoyed it. I know that I did. We really got to see their personalities this time as well.

Making more memories...

I have very fond and happy memories of those weekends when we, as a family, just decided to do something without all of the stressful planning and preparation. No, we didn't take 500 mile trips. We simply loaded up the car and drove. When we found someplace we wanted to stop; we did, and it was ALWAYS fun. This weekend we did that with MY family. How fun that I can finally do that and establish those memories with my own children. On Saturday we took off in the early afternoon and arrived at Topsey Exotic Animal Ranch. We had a great time and both kiddos got the opportunity to get up close and personal with nature.

I wasn't sure we could duplicate such a fun afternoon the next day, but we managed. After dinner we loaded up the "swagger wagon" and found ourselves at Salado Creek. To say we made memories would be an understatement. Andrew and Clara fell in the creek together when they slipped on a moss covered rock. Thankfully both got up laughing; sort of. It was a great weekend, and we managed to make new memories for all of us!