My Sister's Keeper

Oh my goodness! Just finished reading My Sister's Keeper....need I say more. This book was a book I COULD NOT put down! But, tragically sad. I have a sister and I have two girls, and let me just say, it's hard not to get engrossed in that book.

On a lighter note, I have the day off of work tomorrow and I have tons to do at home, but I am considering doing NOTHING! There are only two weeks left until school starts and I want to be downright lazy with the girls. I know if I ask them what they want to do it will be a combination of go out to eat, shop, get our haircut, get our toenails painted, shop, movie, zoo....I could keep going, but you get the idea. They are full of wonderful ideas. We may have to try a few. KK is at a waterpark today with a friend and Em invited one of her friends to play while KK is gone so they should all be sufficiently entertained. I dream of being creative and doing creative things. But, I'm not very creative. Can you google "how to be creative"? I think I just may have to try. I am having this overwhelming feeling that I want to take everything out of my laundry room and scrub from top to bottom and start over. Not with everything, but with nothing. Nothing but the washer and the dryer. Right now, there are so many clothes in there I could outfit another whole family. I think about all of the dust probably behind the washer and dryer and the lint all in the hose. This will thrill the hubby, because you know I can't move all of this by myself! After all of this babbling and run-on sentences, I think I'll go back to my original idea and do NOTHING! I'll let ya know!

Sentimental

I always seem to get sentimental when seasons change. School is going start here in Louisiana in about 3 weeks and I was watching my girls swimming in the pool last night and it almost just makes me bawl crying.....they are soooo big and getting older by the day. I remember when they needed me for EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING! I told my husband last night, KK can do so many things for herself; soon she's not going to need me anymore. And then Em will follow and what will I do? I am majorly defined by being a mother....he said..."I'll always need you":) Did I mention I have an awesome husband?

Home Sweet Not So Clean

I have such mixed emotions about my house....my husband and I have been married almost 14 years and have lived in different places. Not geographically, just houses. Long story short, we knew one day we wanted to build a house of our own and continually worked toward that goal. Well, 4 years ago we began our journey. And it was actually a pleasant journey. We were just talking the other day that our house building experience was quite enjoyable; no big fall outs or problems. Anyway, fast forward to today, 4 years later, 2 jobs, 2 kids, 4 animals....I cannot keep up with this housework! And I fight myself about this all the time! I have two kids that are of age to actually help and sometimes it's just easier to do things myself (which means the bare minimum gets done). And, I actually have a husband who is VERY helpful! Just having a bum day I guess. I got up this morning to come to work and looked around and literally just felt defeated. Part of it is that I want to be home. Why can't those work from home jobs not be a scam? I will have to start searching for something to do besides work these 10 hour days somewhere else! I'll get on that right after I clean the bathrooms!:)

Really, I don't have to go

Over the past week, our babysitter has been off and we have had to make other arrangements for the girls. At the beginning of the week, they went to stay with my parents about an hour away. Let me just say that they are FULLY entertained when they are there. Go out to eat, go to the library, go swimming, go shopping....need I say more? Anyway, they knew that at the end of this week, they would then be going to my brother and sister-in-law's house about 2 hours away for two nights. Which they were very excited about because they have twins the same age as Em. Well, by the second night at Mom's house, I got a call from KK that sounded like this, "Mom, don't know if I'll be able to go to Uncle Let's because I miss you really badly right now!" Um, what do I say to that? My heart drops, because let's just say that as a child, I was HORRIBLY homesick on most occasions! My dad came to Houston to pick me up one time! All I could do was encourage her and assure her that I had planned for them to come home for two nights in between and that may make her feel better. Well, for those two nights, KK was in a DEEP depression. Just the anxiety of leaving again was like a black cloud, hovering over all of our heads. Em was quite excited and stated matter-of-factly that she was going with or without KK. As the time grew nearer, KK decided that she was going to man up and go. Last night, I got a text from her saying, "Hey mom and dad, i miss you terribly, lu". That said it all; how was I going to sleep the rest of the night worrying about this child? Then, I got a text from Em that said, "Hey mom and dad, love u, see u on saturday!" Need I say more? These kids couldn't be more night and day; yet, I love them both fiercely; there are no words to describe the love for your children, even if you love them differently, not one more than the other, just differently. They both have needs that are the same and then they both have needs that are very different. And God made me and Chad lucky enough to be the ones to tend to those many needs. Can't wait to see them tomorrow!

Days going by

The days are flying by for me. As my oldest child finishes 5th grade and my youngest child finishes 1st grade I have very mixed emotions. Next year KK will be the "big men" at school. Her school only goes to 6th grade and they will be the "Seniors"! She is very excited about this and I think scared. Em in contemplating being at the school without her big sister. Now, let me say that this little girl DOES NOT need her sister for protection; but, KK has a way of taking care of everyone and especially Em. Without her even knowing it, KK keeps up with her and keeps tabs one her, leads her in the right direction and just all around looks out for her. Em is so sweet and definitely not a trouble maker, but definitely in her own little world. Yesterday, for example, the girls' plan was to ride the bus home; they usually do this once a week. KK gets on the bus, no Em. She doesn't hesistate to tell the bus driver, "I gotta go get my little sister". She just knew. She knew Em wasn't in any kind of trouble, she just knew she probably had forgotten. Sure enough, she heads to the 1st grade hall and there stands Em, "I knew you'd come get me and tell me where to go"........what more could I ask for. Two little girls that honestly trust each other, love each other and care about each other. Can you see me smiling????....Thank you God.

LAUNDRY

You know how sometimes your laundry is all over the place and you have one million loads to do and you just feel like you're at the bottom of the pile? Well, I feel like I am there tonight. So much to do, not enough time. Will post again when I have my laundry done!

What Makes Me Happy

I initially started blogging not for anyone else to read about my sometimes exciting, usually mundane life (which is how I like it); but, as a record for my girls to look back on one day and re-live some of their life events and how I felt about them. When I was pregnant with each of them, I started a true diary that I wrote in frequently. Although the entries have dwindled, I do still pick up the pen every now and then and write in a little story. I love to write and not about anything in particular, just whatever is on my mind that day. Then, I love to go back and read things from 10 years back and remember how great certain times were. I seem to have a terrible memory and can only remember maybe the last week of my life.....anyway, today I want to remember that I am the luckiest girl in the world.

I married the man of my dreams. I truly waited for that perfect someone for me and boy did I find him.....he definitely makes me happy.

I have two beautiful girls who hubby and I live for. Thanks to the good Lord, we have been blessed with these children to care for and guide.....they make me very happy.

I am part of a wonderful family. My mom and dad are still married after 44 years and my in-laws are still married after 44 years (who can say that)-it's awesome. Hubby and I both have brothers and sisters who contribute something special to this thing called family....our family makes me very happy.

I am very content with life and all my surroundings, what more could I ask for? God has been so good to us and we only hope and pray that we can live the life that He would be proud of.

What makes you happy? Stop and think about it today. It may be big things like I just mentioned, or it may be little things like beautiful flowers, microwave ovens, hot water, dishwashers, a perfect sunset, 5 minutes of quiet.....whatever it is, take time to stop and be thankful for it.

Jen