Update/Vacation/Discipline

It's been awhile since I updated everyone, so here goes. We went camping at Moffitt Beach in NY from Saturday the 16th- Wednesday the 20th. From camping we went to my Mom's house, also in NY but a few hours away from where we camped. We stayed at my Mom's till early morning on Sunday the 24th. When we left my Mom's we headed to Springfield for the day to visit, before finally heading home. It's nice to be home, but as always I miss my family. It was great seeing everyone and hanging out for more then an overnight trip. We will see them again in August though when they come up for Tyler and Kaylee's birthday bash.

The rest of our summer consists of summer camp for Tyler and Tae Kwon do for Julie. Maybe a trip to the Great Escape, we'll have to see how that goes. We have a special trip to Boston planned for the kids, and then they will be with their Father for a couple weeks. After that they are back to school, and it's back to the grind for me. The summer seems to have flown by, but it's been great. Love having the kids home. Would like them to listen better sometimes, but as the saying goes kids will be kids. 

We are working on listening and picking up after themselves. This requires constant follow up, and is sometimes met with resistance and attitude. I'm tired of the arguing and the constant clutter of their things. They have only started this since school let out, guess they are testing to see how far they can push me. They are finding out, that it's not very far. 

Missing you Grandma.

As most of you know my Grandma passed away this April. On the wall that runs along the staircase is a mosaic picture frame that has a picture of my Grandma, Jon's Grandma, Jon's Mom, Tyler, Julie and my Grandparents. Kaylee always wants to point to the pictures after a nap or when she wakes up on the way down the stairs. My Grandma Fullam's picture where she is holding Kaylee is always the first one she points to. Always.

I know she won't remember her, but I'm glad she got to meet her. I miss her. I know there is nothing that will bring her back. I hate that she had to fight for pretty much everything she had, including her life. I'm glad she is no longer in pain, and is now perfect.

Kaylee recently got a glow seahorse that plays music for five minutes when it's belly is pressed. Last night we walked in to tuck the older two kids in, at around 9pm or a little after. While we were tucking them in her seahorse started up. I swear Kaylee was sleeping, and I'm almost 100% sure she doesn't know how to turn it on yet. This is not the first instance of toys randomly turning on when no one is around to do it. Makes me wonder if it's more then just coincidence that Kaylee points to her picture first every time.

Words for Thought

In the blink of an eye we can change our lives. Sometimes the change is welcomed and embraced, other times it's forced change. Most of the time in one way or another we make the choice for ourselves. Good or bad the change ultimately resulted from a choice that we made at one time or another. Does this not show us how very important our choices are? It should, but some don't see it. Those that do, consider their choices carefully. They weight the pros and cons of their decisions before making them.

I don't regret many of my choices, but I do regret a few. I made a few that were selfish and inconsiderate. I made a few with intent to cause pain, because I had been caused pain. That is neither here or there, and is all in the past. What is important is I won't repeat the past, any part of it. I love my life and wouldn't change a thing about it.

There are people that refuse to change. Either because they don't know how, or just because they don't want to. These people spend their lives in a rut, because with change comes growth which is an essential part of living. So essentially people that refuse to change, are refusing to live. Sad isn't it?

Each day is a gift, there are no do overs. So live it to the fullest, love without bounds. Relax and take a nap if you want to, or get out and enjoy the sunshine. Don't live your life for anyone but you. Spending all your time trying to please someone else is just a waste of time.

Update/ Time Passing

As the weeks go by, the kids fall into summer routine with ease. Kaylee has started waking up at 4:30am and not going back to sleep. This pattern I'd like to change, but struggle with how to effectively do it. So that is my goal for this next week, to push her bedtime a little later, move her naps a little. Which hopefully will ultimately result in a later bedtime and a later wake time. Here's to hoping.

Tyler starts summer camp July 11th for his first week. Then we will be going to BrewFest and then heading camping the following week. After that Tyler will go to his second week of camp, then a week of nothing, then his final week of camp. Julie is doing Tae Kwon Do this summer, and is loving it. As sad as I am about her giving up ballet, if she loves Tae Kwon Do I'll be happy to see her stick with it. Tyler has talked about doing it in the Fall, I hope he does, will help keep him active when he's not in soccer.

Julie has mentioned wanting to get into soccer next year too. So we will see, maybe put her in Voltage too, who knows. I'd like to see her try out the schools soccer before we pay to put her in a league though.

It's interesting to hear how they view things and how they feel about things. What else is interesting is who they choose to tell their real feelings too. They are closed books to most, guarded and protective of their feelings. Sharing them with only a select few. The trust of a child is something that can easily be lost, and hard to gain back.

I love watching my babies grow. They are all beautiful in their own way. Helpful, thoughtful and mostly obedient, I couldn't ask for better kids.

I go to the doctors this week for testing to find out what is causing my mouth sores. I'm hoping they find something, because the periodontist said she doesn't know what we'll do if they don't find anything. I worry a little, and hope for something that isn't serious. All I can do is wait and hope though, so that's what I'm doing.

The days go by like they always do. Sometimes it's rain, sometimes it's sunshine, but time still passes. Tyler will be 11 soon and miss Kaylee is going to be 1. Julie in the Fall will be 9. Some days I still can't believe how fast time is really going. How some days seem to go by so slow, but then we blink and years have gone by. Babies are kids, kids are young adults, and young adults have become grown. We think where has time gone? I guess all we can do is make the most of each day. Love with patience and understanding, and hug them while it's still not embarrassing for them for us to hug them.

Well that's the update. So I'm headed back to love like there is no tomorrow, and live it up today.