Monday Musings

Inspired by another blogger trying out a Miscellaneous Monday post ... I thought I'd give it a try ...

Every year, I'm so excited when summer comes and the kids are out of school because my kids are easy to have around, and I like them. This year, I'm filled with anxiety of how I will productively fill the days with my new, very busy 4 year old, and balance the needs of my older kids as well.

My hair looks bad ... it's long, overgrown ... and it's my natural color ... which is not lovely. And I'm going to dinner tomorrow with some of "the beautiful people" who I don't know well. They will all have beautiful hair and clothes. Feeling insecure ... kind of like junior high and high school all over again.

My son is always making noise, of some sort. Sometimes happy, sometimes just screams for no apparent reason. My house used to be quiet.

My 9 year old had mild asthma when he was younger. Has been several years since he had an "attack". He started coughing this terrible barking cough on Saturday. Took me till last night, after he was asleep, to realize it was an asthma cough. Didn't sleep much ... kept worrying that he would die in his sleep. Happened to a neighbor's child a few months ago. Mom Fail.

My vacuum cleaner is 22 years old ... it has duct tape holding the hose on, and is missing a wheel. It probably spews as much dust back into the air, as it picks up from my carpet .. but my carpet "looks" cleaner on the rare occassion that I use it. I used it this week-end ... along with a little helper.

I'm a recovering scrapbook addict ... who is itching to start again ... maybe this week-end.

Have a great Monday!

Kenen's 1st Mother's Day Card

(as dictated to Daddy)

"Love to Mommy. Love to play with you. I love to nice family and warm bed. I love to Jesus. I like my brothers and sister and yummy food! My favorite food is egg and injera. I like bananas and sometimes I like grapes and warm sunshine. And I think that's done. Love, Hugs and Kisses    KENEN"

Also received lovely cards with words of love and blessing from my other 3 kids and husband. Perfect!

16 Years Ago Today

I became a mom. I'll confess ... I was probably a bit uptight ... not the super relaxed, go with the flow kind of mom I am today. Ha!  I wanted to do everything right. And if doing everything right could be measured by the content and character of a person ... then, on a daily basis, this young man makes it look like his dad and I did something right.

Ryan is not perfect ... I know that ... he knows that. However, when I talk to people about him, I find myself having to hold back a bit when I describe him. It could easily cross over into bragging ... and at times, could make him seem too good to be true.

However, I will take a moment to highlight just a few of the truly exceptional qualities he has. Ryan is fiercely loyal to all he loves ... God, family and friends. If you are blessed enough to have his love, he will defend, encourage and stand by you ... no matter what. He is wise beyond his years. Sees the world and situations around him with eyes that have always been discerning at a very deep level. He is brave. He is not afraid to take on challenges and to push himself to do more than he initially thinks he can. And he is trusting ... he has allowed his dad and I to encourage him and lead him because in his heart he trusts us, and knows that we are always on his side ... even when he disagrees. He has that same trust in God ... he knows that things will not always be easy or go the way he'd like, but he trusts his Creator and knows and loves Him.

David Ryan ... you have made this parenting thing seem easy. I can't wait to see what your future holds ... Your dad and I are ... and always will be your biggest fans!