Something to Think About

Sometimes in the hectic rush and routine of our daily lives, we often forget to stop and be thankful.

I'm a Pinterest addict, and I 'pinned' a saying the other day.  It says

'I urge you to please notice when you are happy, 

and exclaim or murmur or think at some point 

"If this isn't nice, I don't know what is"' ~ Kurt Vonnegut

I read this and it really resonated with me.  I AM happy.  Happy with my life, happy with my husband, happy with my children.  Happy that we can give them this life of carefree days, no worries, the opportunity for world travel, never needing for anything (although the wanting part - that's what gets them!), always feeling loved, and secure.  I look into those faces, and I see that they are relaxed, and solid.  

We've been through a lot of changes since October.  Changes that, without this solid foundation of our family unit and sticking together, could have easily torn us apart.  Changes that might make someone anxious, yet because we have our cocoon, we were able to endure.  

And it's not over.  Far be it for me to say that our lives will now continue in this same routine, no.  That's not the way our family works.  We enjoy the restless wanderlust that we are faced with.  We enjoy that feeling of having connections all over this earth.  We are secure in the fact that no matter where we go, no matter where we end up, we are together.  

Our children have been bitten by that bug.  They are both itching to go somewhere, especially Wy.  His common question on Thursdays is now: "Are we going to go anywhere this weekend?"  When I tell him no, he answers with "I love our adventures."

I'm happy.  And if this isn't nice, I don't know what is.

Summer Lovin!

I know, I know, we just left Spring Break and I'm already focused on making summer plans!!!!  YAY!

Two things we have set in stone: A vacation to Puerto Vallarta in July; and the kids are going away for a week at Memaw and Papaw Camp in Arizona!  Today Jordan told us that she was invited to go to Indiana with one of her BFF's for a week this summer so we're going to try and make that happen.  What a great opportunity.

In addition, I want to get back to New Jersey for a week so I can show the kids where mama grew up, point out the guidos and explain to them that if they bring home a 'Snooki' or a 'Situation', there will be the mother of ALL situations at our house.

I also want to take them to the City.

I'm headed to NYC next month for my cousin Michael's wedding.  It's only for a quick weekend, and Chris and the kids aren't going, so I want to go back when the kids are out of school to take them.  Jordan was born in February 2001 and Wyatt in October 2003, so for all intents and purposes, they've always lived in a world without the Twin Towers.  I would love to take them to Ground Zero, get them a Sabrett hot dog, and ride them around on the subway.  Additionally, I want to take them to FAO Schwarz and watch their heads explode.

We're also going to try and get to St. Louis to see the family again.  We all love going there, and we've been twice now, and the kids LOVE that side of the family.

However, that's not the whole entire summer.  So today, I came up with an idea, after perusing some websites.  I told the kids today that they have three goals for the summer:

1. Learn something new.  This can be a new skill, a new language, or whatever.

2. Read a great book.  I'm not really worried about Jordan, she's my voracious reader, but I did tell Wyatt he has to get a book that has no pictures, and he has to read the whole thing.  I know this will require a trip to the bookstore as opposed to the library.

3. Complete a project.  This will involve them creating, designing, and completing a project of their choosing.  

I'm pretty excited about the summer, and the possibilities it holds!  School's out on June 14th!  We're leaving on a surprise trip for the kids on the 15th!  Can't wait!

I am the mother of an adult...

Yesterday marked a major milestone in my life.  My eldest son turned 18.  For the last 18 years I have dreaded this day, wishing it to stay away a few more days, a few more moments.

I remember SO vividly the feeling of utter fear as my water broke 8 weeks earlier than expected.  I remember the panic rising in my throat and whispering to my baby 'not yet! It's too soon, too sudden!'  I remember the car ride to the hospital and praying, begging God to PLEASE, let him be ok, let my baby live through this.

36 hours later, my son made his entrance into this world, screaming to my relief, showing us that indeed, his lungs were ready for this life.

Those first 12 days were stressful, sleepless, panicked, prayerful, and hopeful.  My baby made it, and he grew, and he learned, and he loved and was loved.

And now he's 18.

He's a great son.  A great brother.  A great friend.  And a great young man.  I'm so proud of the person he's become and of the things he accomplished.  I know he will be successful in all that he does, and I am excited to see what the next 18 years hold for him.