Beautiful girls

Window was an absolute beauty all dressed up for prom. She truly is always beautiful and it was such an honor to be able to share this moment with her and watch her sparkle! Kid1 is at boot camp so his very best friend, Mr. T, took sweet window to the prom and they had a great time. Mr. T is about the most wholesome guy you will ever meet. We love him around here!

My gorgeous first daughter, Kid2 looked like a doll, she is rockin' the pin up hair! She asked her daddy to walk her out for the Senior walk out (I am trying to deny that she is a senior), and they looked gorgeous together. It was so fun to see the excitement on their faces as they ate dinner and swooned over each other. What a fun night!

Here's our prom crew. Kid2's date, J and Kid2. The girls absolutely hilarious and memorable sweet friend L, Window and Mr. T. The beautiful and lovely C and her date K. I think they looked all looked perfect. (is it just me or does hilarious L look like Audrey Hepburn?)

prom sweet prom

~last years pictures~

Oh! the prom

First let me start by saying that I have never been in huge support of the prom. Its possible that I am not big on the prom because of my private school background. Heck, who knows? I never went to a dance, EVER, in my whole life. I am basically dance-less and I've always been okay with it. I have always felt strongly that it's a waste of money, waste of time and CERTAINLY an immoral way to spend a night.

UNTIL

I started looking at a lot of things differently. I have also never thought a big wedding was important (perhaps thats because I didn't have one) but I have come to the realization that I may be wrong, errrr….. I am wrong (a little).

I digress

Have you seen little girls pretending to be brides? Have you witnessed the beauty of little girls dressing up and pretending to be grown and go to dances and weddings and princess tea parties? It's quite possibly my favorite part of raising girls! I could sit for hours watching them pretend to cook, hold babies, change clothes a thousand times and admire themselves. I LOVE raising girls. (most of the time)

This is not to say that all girls love these things. Lots of girls don't. My sister didn't love to play house as much as I did and I have seen lots of little girls who would rather pretend to be dogs and vets and would rather not dress up. I think the world is wonderfully full of girly girls and not so girly girls.

back to prom

I didn't go to prom and never even considered paying hundreds of dollars for a dress I would wear once. I didn't spend any time thinking about prom and those kinds of things when my kids were little. Last year, I realized that prom could be a very important day for girls, much like a wedding (hold the reproduction please).

Kid1 didn't want to go, he doesn't like crowds, he doesn't enjoy dressing up and he certainly doesn't want to stand in line at a restaurant to eat expensive food in a rented tux before the night even starts. I could understand his point of view, but I also realized that his sweet sweet girlfriend had probably been dreaming about her first prom since she was a little girl. It's not always about what makes us comfortable, sometimes we have to do things we aren't comfortable with to make dreams come true for those we love. She was so excited and he was a nervous wreck. They had a great time, they really did. It was quite a feeling seeing him all dressed up and watching them walk out together. His sweet girlfriend is lovely.

as a matter of fact

I don't think I have ever given his sweet girlfriend a name on this blog… how could I have over looked this? Okay, I will write her introduction blog another day. We call her Window around here. I can tell you this- she IS a window to pure beauty, kindness, and sweet as candy!

anyway back to prom

I have a few prom rules.

• I will pay 200 towards a dress
• I will NOT pay for dinner
• I will NOT pay for prom tickets
• I will help pay for gas if your low
• I will take great pictures anywhere you want
• I will cheer and root as you walk out
• I will NOT allow drinking and have to know the address where you are prom night if you go to a party.
• I will stop by.
• I will be so proud to see you shine and look beautiful on a special night
• I will swoon at the pictures I took while your at prom and wonder how you grew so quickly
• I will be a nervous wreck until your car is parked safely at home

So basically, after growing older, raising teens and realizing quite a bit about life, but not nearly enough to get by, I realize that prom can be a very important night for girls. It is more than a money sucker, more than a night to be all girly and dressy. Prom can be a magical night of taking a night to enjoy dressing up, enjoy the privilege of being part of a group of friends, showing school pride and feeling like a princess. Prom within reason, can be a magical event. I have come to really enjoy it.

Happy prom night Kid2 and Window, I hope it's magnificent!

Stationery card

In His Plans Graduation Announcement

Shutterfly has fun graduation party invitations & gifts for the grad.

View the entire collection of cards.

Stationery card

In His Plans Graduation Announcement

Shutterfly has custom graduation invitations & announcements.

View the entire collection of cards.

some sweet advisement

If you've ever met my kids, you know pretty quickly that Kid3 is much more mild mannered, quieter and MUCH more low maintenance than my others. He was born that way. He was always so easy, God knew I needed an easy little guy the third time around. When he was a baby, he would wait to eat, he had no problem waiting in his crib until I could get to him. If Kid3 was truly unhappy I could hand him a banana and all was well with him. I've always said if all my kids were like Kid3, I might have ten or twelve more!

Last night we had a meeting at the school for kid3 to talk about him being on track to graduate, his grades, what credits he will need next year, etc. I'll be honest, these meetings don't go nearly as well when Kids 1 and 2 are involved. Kid1's graduation was … stressful to say to the least and Kid2, although easily graduating, not super easy going.

Kid3's advisor obviously really likes him, she is super sweet and genuinely enjoys her job, which is always nice to encounter. While Mr. B read and signed forms, Mrs. teacher showed me something that reminded me just how sweet my Kid3 is. A goal sheet that he filled out at the beginning of the year, my kid said this-

goals for high school

1. get good grades

2. be a good student

3. get a job

goals for life

1. find a steady job

2. make enough money to support my family

I love these goals for a high school boy. I smiled knowing that my Kid3 is so sweet and I love that about him! It's always nice to hear nice things about high school boys… because they can be so BLECH!

;)

oh. my. girls.

These girls have my heart.

I adore every little move they make.

My loves, oh my loves.

CHOO CHOO!

A few weeks ago we had a great train adventure. Georgia has a couple of fantastic day train rides and they are worth every minute!

Kid4 invited her good friend who just happens to live next door. We had an amazing day exploring the little towns of Georgia!

The weather was perfect and Kid5 enjoyed being carried all day.

We met some very sweet people on the ride. This wonderful train is run by all volunteers and we were treated like royalty. The men and women who work on the train were so informative, so genuine and a rare group of people. If your ever in Georgia you really should try it. It's a great adventure for all ages.

please go but don't leave me...

Anyone that knows me knows that I really was ready to see Kid1 start his life. When your raising kids you usually know if one needs to have a little push to live life and move ahead or one might need a little pull back. You know the one that jumps ahead to fast and you have to reign them back in a little to protect them? (that's kid2)

I was ready, I had to push him a little to move in any direction his whole life. When it came to preschool he politely declined so Kid2, Kid3 and I sat outside his preschool window so he could see us and waited there day after day until he was comfortable enough for us to start waiting in the car… He needed a push. Kindergarten did not go as smooth as I had wanted as he crawled up into my lap and promised me he would go the 2nd day but he just could not go the first day. I was wavering … I was folding when another mother caught my eye and shook her head no. She could tell I was a young mother and was not doing well at cutting the apron strings. I held him close and promised him he would be okay. I cried all morning until it was time to pick him up, he had a great day. Every year after that went pretty much the same. School was hard.

Kid1 and I have spent very few days apart in his 19 years and 8 months. As he grew I tried to remember to give him a gentle nudge. Sometimes I shoved! Sometimes I barely pushed at all. Rarely were my pushes just right and I always doubted myself.

This push into adulthood was no different. He struggled, as many boys do, to decide how to start his future. I gently nudged him here and there always scared I would nudge in the wrong direction.

I have said for months "Its time to go son, you can't live here forever". Tuesday he went and guess what?

I MISS HIM

My dear baby, sweet little timid boy,

Oh how I love you in every way possible. Today, right this minute I can close my eyes and smell your golden baby hair right under my nose as if you were still a little boy sitting in your momma's lap. Right now, this very second I can close my eyes and feel my lips pressing against the palm of your hand and remember how you made me kiss it every single day before school because of your favorite story the kissing hand. I did so well at the airport until you opened up my hand and kissed my palm like I use to kiss yours, it took me back to so many years ago. You remembered, I guess you always will. You can't know how you have blessed me, your sisters and brother. Without you we are not whole but I knew you had to grow up sometime. I wasn't ready and I doubt you were either, but if left up to us my son, I doubt we would ever truly be ready.

I love you, Im so proud of you and I know your going to do great.

I'll love forever, I'll like you for always, as long as Im living, my baby you'll be.

Love,

Momma

6 of a jillion...

I saw this on pinterest and it really spoke to me.

I want this. I always have. I think every girl does.

The longer I look at it, the more I realize that these are 6 quick moments captured throughout life. This doesn't show the hard parts, but the hard parts are what make us strong. The long nights up with our babies too exhausted to even speak to each other. The long days at work, not even noticing the little things anymore. Those hard times when you feel like you can't possibly wake up to the same person another minute. The moments apart when you feel like you can't possibly live another moment without them.

These are the moments, the in between times that often we mistake for bad times. These times, the hardest times of all develop character, integrity and honor between you both.

Hold on to all the moments, pay attention and LOVE everyday like you won't have another.

quirky colorful beauty

Im a serious Easter egg dying fool! Well, let me clarify. I LOVE to boil eggs, make colored water and watch the kids GO. TO. TOWN. Have you ever noticed how no single Easter egg EVER comes out the same as another? There are no twin Easter eggs in this business! Easter eggs remind me of kids, they are a dramatic mix of pure individual beauty.

But this year, there were a little less kids (plural) and a little more kid (single). I made every color of the rainbow. I boiled 5 dozen eggs. And… well… ONE kid came to my little egg dying party. (to be perfectly honest, another little girl came too, but she was NOT interested in hard boiled eggs… she took a big ol' bite and decided this was no fun)

I'll tell you what, THIS little girl, THIS little brown haired beauty is a pleasure! Watching her splash the milky white round canvases into their bright destiny was awe inspiring. This little lass adds a brilliant splash of vibrant life to all of us.

I often sit and wonder how I could have gotten so lucky. She makes our days bright, our nights superb and our lives rich. She has aspergers and there is no way I would change a single thing about her. She neatly lines things up, she lives by dates and times and she is absolutely lovely in every way. She's MY very own personal easter egg, MY colorful princess, MY own quirky little ball of gorgeous fire and I couldn't ask for more.

I ADORE you kid4!

we said goodbye

My baby went to boot camp. He did it. I let him go, I even encouraged him… although Im doubting my decision now that were all home without him I know he'll do great.

The goodbyes were tough. We ALL cried, I really wanted to wrap him up in a blanket and run for the hills but didn't let myself. It was hard to let him go, hard to turn and walk away, hard to drive away without him.

I'm still a little speechless, still a little stunned and still a little sad. Im sure the days ahead as he's gone and it sets in, as Kid2 graduates and moves to college and as our family grows smaller I'll have moments when Im secretly freaking out inside but I'll make it.

This mom job is a little harder than I originally thought.

Good luck sweet baby boy, See you in 2 months.

I'll love you forever, I'll like for always,

As long as I'm living my baby you'll be.

And he's gone...

This little precious boy, the first love of my life is leaving for boot camp today.

Its final, he's growing up.

My Dear son,

This is all so surreal to me. I can't believe it yet. Im writing this the night before you're leaving and I just can't wrap my mind around it yet. My kid1 I have been looking forward to watching you grow up and start your life… but now Im not sure I'm ready… I'm not sure I can put feelings into words yet. I love you, Im proud of you and I can't wait to see you on June 8th.

Love, Momma,

P.S. we really will be okay without each other…. right?

Happy Happy Birthday my Angel Pie!

Im sitting here thinking about her… wondering when it happened… when in the world did she grow up? When did this little princess turn 18 and how? This was her half of her life ago. A dance, a 50's dance for her 9th birthday and I thought she was old then! I remember making that skirt and thinking; "HOW can she already be 9"?

The hot watermelon sweaty faced summers have flown by and now she's grown, not a baby anymore. She spends her days working and thinking of college in the fall. What happened to those sticky Texas summers when she played outside until the moon was high in the sky? What happened to those moments of little girl giggles and sleepovers on the porch?

Its like I blinked and she's gone, I'm finished bundling her up in a coat and mittens to go to school, done making her do homework and practice ballet. Its like my mission is almost complete and I'm not ready. I'm not finished writing the music for her to dance off into life yet… IM NOT FINISHED!

Where did the never ending teen years go? How did they run away from us so quickly? How could she have possibly gone from 13 to 18? It's only been a minute!

I wonder sometimes if I will ever see her as an adult? Will I ever see her as a grown woman and not my baby girl? She was born running, wanting more and pushing forward. My mission as her mom has been to hold her tight and not let her run too fast. How in the world will I let her be grown now?

Dear very first baby girl, My dear fiery little daughter who isn't so little anymore, I always knew you'd be extraordinary, you always were. From the minute you were born you were running for more, for better, for bigger and watching you grow has been an honor. Our life hasn't been perfect but I really wouldn't have it any other way because these things have made you who you are. These things have enabled you to understand others and yourself more deeply. You have always had a light in your eye that is often misunderstood. It's the light of your deep faith, the light of your strong soul. You have so many times inspired me to be better, to make better choices and to change my path and for those things I thank you. Thank you for being my daughter, my little stubborn joy and my strength. I am so thankful that God chose you for me.

Happy 18th Birthday my love. I can't wait to watch you continue to grow and blossom. I love you to the moon and back.

Love, Momma

Happy Easter

Happy Easter my friends,

I hope you have a perfect day.

These are the last few days that my children will be living under the same roof. The last few days that they will all be children. Kid1 goes to bootcamp on Tuesday and Kid2 turns 18 on Monday…

I saw this on pinterest and thought it was hilarious!

save the drama for your momma...

Dear one reader,

I have been gone quite a few months… trust me, you DONT want all the details…

DRAMA, DRAMA, DRAMA

If you want some drama, just visit Mckmama…

So, life is busy, its full and often filled with drama we would rather avoid but with faith and a lot of prayer, drama-less is possible. I will say this; none of my kiddos have died, gotten married or gotten pregnant- THANK GOODNESS!

Im excited to get back to blogging and show you just how much my babies are growing up. As a matter of fact my beautiful Kid2 is turning EIGHTEEN on Monday! It's a shocking fact and I am in total denial!