The Case of the Missing Scout Shirt...

Yesterday, we were trying to get Zach packed up and ready for a week long adventure of Scout Camp. Alan had gone to the scout store on Saturday and bought all the badges that he needed to iron on his shirt. (No, I don't know how to sew and yes, we do have to resort to the iron-on badges!) Zach had tried on his scout shirt for us that day and had laid it over the bannister of the stairs. Well, Sunday evening Alan started getting the badges out and asked Zach to go get his shirt. He came back shortly and said he couldn't find it. I suggested a few spots to look and after doing so, he still couldn't find it. Alan now joined in the search. As the minutes wore on, there became much frustration on the part of Zach and Alan. Realizing that it was time for "the mom who always seems to find everything" to step in, I also joined the search. The frustration was mounting by the second as we realized that he had to leave for camp in the morning and had to have his shirt. We gathered all the kids and decided to search every room in the house. After doing that, still no shirt. Zach came in to me and said "Mom, I think we should have a prayer." I thought to myself "now why didn't I think of that?" We quickly gathered in the living room and said a prayer. I again thought to myself "please make sure we find the shirt so my kids' faith isn't shattered!" We finished the prayer and again continued our search. It wasn't 10 seconds before I heard Alan say "I found it!" He had walked into our bedroom where we had searched several times before and decided to look down between the mattress and the bed frame and THERE WAS THE SCOUT SHIRT! I guarantee you my kids will remember this small example of faith and prayer for years to come! Just thought I would share.

"40" is the new "30"?

I remember my mom telling me that even though she is 60+ she still feels like she is in her 30's until she looks in the mirror. (Although she looks great for her sixties!) I also remember when I was a teenager thinking 40 was SO middle-aged! I looked at my mom when she was in her 40's thinking (although she was pretty) she looked so "like a mother". It's amazing and scarey how time passes by and yet we don't feel any different. Will we still feel young and the same even when we are in our 70's and 80's? If so, how frustrating will it be to see our bodies much older than our spirits? I am contemplating these things lately as my own sister turned 4o just a few days ago. Being only two years younger, it makes me realize how quickly that day is approaching for me. As my 20 year high school reunion is being celebrated this summer, it brings me back to my high school days and I honestly don't feel much older. I recall being at my 10 year reunion thinking "oh wow! what will all be like at our 20th? That will be the biggy!" Well, here it is and I still don't feel any different. Yes, I have matured (hopefully) and I have aged a little. I have become a bit more "saggy" in areas and have noticed several gray hairs (thank goodness for coloring) but I still feel young. Have we become more "hip" so to speak? Do we dress more youthful than our parents did at our age? Are our haircuts the same as most of the teenagers so therefore doesn't separate the "young" from the "mature"? Are our anti-aging products better? Or maybe I am looking through "rose-colored glasses" and don't look as young as I think I do. All I know is I look at my sister who is now a "middle-aged" mother of five with a son in college and I think she looks pretty darn good!

Happy BELATED Birthday Connor!

This is what happens when my sister comes in town for a week..everything gets put on hold..including blogging! So better late than never Connor!!!

Connor was especially lucky this year to celebrate his 5th birthday with not only some of his favorite friends but with his cousins from out of town. We had his party at the swim club and there was hardly a soul there so we basically had the whole pool to ourselves!! Connor is a pretty exciteable kid so you can imagine how excited he was for his party. Although I have to admit, there were several times earlier in the week where I wasn't sure he was GETTING a party due to some behavior issues. Connor sure keeps us on our toes. I have never known anyone who can make me SO frustrated one second and make my heart melt the next! I don't know of too many people who meet Connor and don't immediately love him, including many of our close neighbors. Here are just a few reasons why I love Connor so much...

1. You often come up out of the blue and say "Yer da best mom!"

2. Give you any object and you can figure out a way to turn it into a battle scene.

3. The only things you WON'T eat are pickles and peppers.

4. You finally don't gag over your poops anymore.

5. You have the world's biggest smile with the cutest dimple.

6. You'll get right back on your bike after a wipeout that leaves you bloodied & bruised.

7. You're not embarrassed to be who you are..anywhere you are...even if it's dressed as a mid-evil knight at Crown Burger or Spiderman at the grocery store.

8. You show no signs of prejudice when you say you wish you were black "cuz black guys are the coolest!"

9. You sit and play Noah's Nintendo DS for hours even though you have no idea what you are playing because you so want to be like your big brother.

10. You just woke up and walked in the room with your hair standing on end, morning breath and a contagious smile on your face that starts my day off right! I love you Connor!

I Never Thought....

I'd let my child go out in public dressed like this...

or wear shoes like these...
or have a 13 year old who is at least a head taller than me...

or that I'd resort to wearing these when trying to hide my "muffin top". (Hey desperate times call for desperate measures, right?)
or that I would live so far away from my sisters (boo hoo!)...
or would have bows, my little ponies and dress-up shoes in my house...(okay she looks like a tomboy in this pictures which she is not but I love this picture of her anyway!)
and finally...I never thought I would be the PROUD owner of a mini-van!
Moral of this blog post: motherhood changes everything!