A force unto themselves

So....I think a lot of us have the same fears. One of them, and I may be completely wrong, is that we worry about our kids. Not always for their safety, but for their decisions. It's that tumultuous middle-groud and untouchable area where they have to make their own decisions at some point and we have to simply watch. For me, that is probably one of the hardest parts of parenting...to watch what I know is a bad decision and have to let them learn.

On the other hand, what an amazing pay off it is to see them when they make good decisions! I watch my kids day in and day out become just amazing little (and I guess big in a couple of the cases) people. I am in awe of the friends that they make and the decisions that they make just know what is right and wrong.

One of the great pay offs was Last September. Ethan decided to be baptized. The thing is, I haven't been in the best place in the last couple of years. Not physically mind you...the physical is so much better than it ever was before! But the rest...just not good. And so I got out of it. I pulled myself up by my bootstraps per say and set my sights forward. The risk of it was ultimately my kids. But here they stand...as ultimate examples to me.

So, life comes full circle. And these little people that once depended on me for everything to survive have survived...and I guess I depended on them for a while. At the end we are a team and we made it and Ethan and the rest of them are happy...and an incredible force unto themselves.

When in doubt where to begin...

Start on the outside and work your way in.

Ok...so that was a random poem my parents taught me about how to know what silverware to use should I ever be at a locale with multiple forks and spoons. The frequent mantra was, "What if you ever get invited to eat at the White House?" The bottom line is I have never nor will ever be invited to eat at the White House. If I ever DID get invited to the White House the last thing I would have on my mind is which fork to use, and furthermore, the fanciest I usually get is Olive Garden at which I am just grateful if I get out without any of my children crawling under the table or stabbing each other with said forks.

So, I digress. And from the very beginning which is bound to be a poor sign. The point I was was trying to make was...where to begin since I STINK at blogging?! So, I decided to start on the outside and work my way in. Please join me on my journey back to again move forward...

Another bucket item checked off (several, actually. But I will divide and conquer them as to not overwhelm the faint at heart) and memories made. Some perhaps questionable, but what would my life be without questionable items?
The kids and I went to California! This was a huge accomplishment for me...and us. And it was great. I'm pretty sure none of us have a single complaint and we sure enjoyed each other. It was quite the planning adventure...had to go when I had the kids, a place to stay for 6 of us, activities to do and money to do them with. The fact of the matter is, there's not currently an abundance of cash for us right now. But I decided that we didn't need it. And we didn't!



We went to Sea World, and Seaport Villiage and the beach many, many times. We ate the majority of our meals out of a cooler in the back of my car and it was perfect. There was one day that we planned specifically to just do the beach. I worried a bit about how long it would be before someone whined or was ready to go or got tired of the event, but it never happened. It was the best day I can remember in quite some time.


Every single kid was happy and entertained and pleasant and got along. We had a late lunch and snacks through the day and ended with a beach bonfire with hot dogs and s'mores. We had great hosts who really did what they could to make our trip memorable and for that we are grateful. The stories of their jacuzzi will be remembered forever by my kids as mine of that same jacuzzi from my childhood are remembered by me. Ask sometime...you will dig the story.

Moral of the story...that in reality has no moral...we did it. I am amazed at the character of my children and the beauty of their souls. I know you all like your kids and all, but mine are just the bomb! I absolutely could not be more blessed than I am with them.