Mommy plus Five

Finally another girl in the house with a place full of boys. Kori and I are not so outnumbered anymore. Welcome Home Miss Lilly!

Goodbye February!

This is going to be a great March and am even better Spring!

Yep...that worked. If you can gaze upon the famous "Blakey face", and not laugh or smile, I recommend you check for a pulse.

This has been a very difficult mommy day for me. I keep thinking I have experienced the worst mommy day of my life, then another comes along that makes the previous look like child's play.

Being a mom is definitely the hardest gig in the world. You do all you can to provide for your children, to hopefully bring them happiness and stability but yet it is not quite enough.

I was a middle child. I know and understand the independence and stubborn attitude of the middle child. You want so badly to get started with your life and it often seems that no one understands you or really cares. But "I" care. I get it, yet my middle child can't see that and he continues to run away.

One of these days...when I am old and gray...maybe I can say "goodbye kid, you are on your own!"...but knowing me I doubt it. I will stand right where I am standing now with my arms wide open ready to catch you when you fall. I will never walk away from you. I might step back and watch from the shadows, but I will never say goodbye. Not when you were 14 and not now when you are 18 going on 50. I care and I love you.

And to my baby, my youngest and the light at the end of the tunnel I say thank you Blakey for bringing sunshine to my world.

My 365...

My 365...

My 365...

I was sitting at my desk with the usual suspects, Dozer and Supra, curled up under my chair...or so I thought! I glanced down to see Blake had joined the party. :)

My 365...

I posted my last picture just after midnight, but it felt way too early for a photo of the day, so here is a random picture from this evening. I love candles. :)

Mothers can not control the weather, they can not fix all that breaks, can not deposit millions into our bank accounts and take away all of the financial woes. What we can do as mothers is be honest. Tell the truth, shoot it straight and spare the sugar coated pretties. When something needs to be said, it must be said with absolutely certainty and straight forward honesty. That often hurts. Causing pain is never the intention, helping those we love "take notice" of potential problems is our only agenda. Yet our words are often twisted leaving us feeling guilty and cruel.

We can love our children, and we can be there for our children, however we can not accept disrespect and total disregard. That is never fair for any mother. And we can never wear the blinders comfortably. Those are for horses....mothers can see through them, around them, so they do not help at all.

What this mother will say is "I love you" and I will hold you in my prayers." Chose wisely, and make your choice your own. And remember the choices you make are forever. Remember the words you speak to me cause pain and are not quickly forgotten. No, I do not hold a grudge, but I also do not forget.

I love my world, I love my home, I love my children, I love my dogs, I love my family and friends, and I am happy. I do not feel the world owes me a damn thing. The path I have taken is one I chose and continue to journey down. With my head held high, love in my heart, and a smile on my face. That will not change.