Matty Turns FIVE!

Dear Matthew Alan-

Oh, my little Matty-Moo, I can't believe you're five years old. You have certainly been my challenge-child; the one who has caused my wrinkles and has kept me up at night (quite literally). But through all of the doctor visits, the near death experience (almost three years ago), the constant medication, the late nights/early mornings, the steroid rage, and all other things we could consider negative.... you're anything but negative! You're my brave, intelligent, loving, kind, giving, and amazing little man-- God's most precious gift He ever could have given me. I am blessed to call you son. I am honored to have been chosen to be your mama. You make me a better person. You alone have taught me more, in your five years, about love and perseverance, than I have learned in my nearly thirty years on Earth. You are an amazing child.

You told me today that you wanted to be a police officer daddy, when you grow up. You said that you wanted to help people and you wanted to be a good daddy (like your daddy). I pray for you Matty, that your dreams and talents are utilized and that you carry out those things planted into your heart.

Happy Birthday, dear Matty.... Happy Birthday to you. :)

I love you, forever-
Mommy

September 5th?!

Has it really been since September? Wow. I can't believe I haven't blogged in that long! I don't think I'll bore you with all of the details of our lives, the last 5 months. I'll just do a quick update:

Me: I have been working for a company called Kidozla (www.kidzola.com) for the last 4 months. I work from home, doing their PR/Marketing. It's a great company, for moms, to sell their old children's clothes (and other items) as well as handmade goodies. I even make videos!

Check me out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dja2o5Ic82E&feature=youtu.be

Andy: The husband is doing well! :) I don't think there's much to report from him. Has the same job (and we are thankful!), still has his little red car (woo.... dot. dot. dot.), and is still and awesome hubbee and daddee! :)

Adam: Adam is an amazing Kindergartner! He is reading like a pro and enjoys going to school all day (every other day) and making new friends. We are actually going to his first musical performance, tomorrow night, and he is VERY excited about it! Adam is now SIX. Yes, you read that right... he's SIX!

Matty: Matty is doing amazingly well in his Preschool class. He is considered a peer model, for children with minor disabilities (speech issues, mostly). His teacher is amazed at how intelligent he is. He can add numbers up to ten, he recognizes all 52 letters (uppercase/lowercase), he can spell and read some words, and more. He really is quite intelligent! Matty turns 5 in just a few months. I can hardly believe it.

Chloe: Chloe is TWO. Oh yes, she is TWO. She is so very different from her brothers. She is sassy, a princess, and has quite the little diva attitude. But she is also very tender, loving, and likes to play "mommee" with her babies/Barbies.

Well. I think that's about it. But I'm sure you want to see some pictures. Right? :)

It's Only "Stuff"

I've often been told that my life is somewhat.... how do I put it? Insane. Unstable. Wild. Unbelievable. "Unlucky." As well as various other adjectives. And while I can see how people determine this about my life, it's not necessarily how I see things (most of the time). Thankfully, I don't believe in luck or coincidence, but I believe that everything happens for a reason and I believe that it is all pre-destined. Yes, I believe that our lives our planned out before we are even created, and nothing is lucky or coincidence.

*Ok, no haters, please. It's just what I believe. You don't have to believe that. I'm cool with you, if you don't.*

Anyway-- So, this past week was a week from that place down below...that very hot and cruel place. It was a true hell-week. Just so you know, I am not really looking for sympathy; I'm just venting my frustrations and "grr-ness."

Ok- so the week:

First, I had babies starting school. One starting Kindergarten and the other starting Pre-school. (yes, this is stressful for me.)

Second, the husband takes his new shiny car (see previous postings) to work and someone decides the new shiny car needs to be broken into. Not fun. Goodbye $200 worth of goodies.

Next, My mom has surgery. Surgery went well. I spent almost every night at the hospital with my mom, after spending all day doing my normal daily duties. Mom ends up with an infection. Mom has to stay in the hospital for over a week. Not fun.

While mom is in the hospital, my step-dad comes down with a horrible infection in his intestines... Step-dad is ADMITTED into the same hospital where my mom had surgery. Two parents....one hospital. Two siblings still at home with said parents... now at my house.

Step-Dad and Mom both heal and go home. yay! :)

Meanwhile (back at the Batcave...err...My house), the husband drives his OLD car to work, because he is afraid of the new car getting broken into again. Husband wrecks OLD car. Ok... he didn't do it.... someone else did... but still. Old car is now getting a new bumper and exhaust system, tomorrow. YAY! :)

Ok.. What else? Yes, there's more.

My brother, while ALL of this is going on, decides to grow gross things on his feet and has to have them removed. Thankfully, that all went well, and he is no longer gross. Whew.

Lastly, the Mother-load, the straw that broke the camel's back... MY car gets broken into at a shopping center... Yes, that's right... MY (old...by lovely) Jeep... and what do they steal? Not my GPS, not the laptop in the car, but my Adam's (5 years old) WALLET. A child's wallet. That's right, my baby's wallet, with $8 whole dollars inside...stolen.

And as a reflection through this all... While there were times when I cried, times when I felt hopeless, and times when I just wanted it all to go away; I honestly knew that this was all happening for a reason. It was all happening to slow us down, or show us that we are not in charge, or just to humble our hearts and to be thankful for one another and for everything we have.

Adam said it best, after his wallet was stolen: "It's okay mommy, I'll be okay. It was only stuff. I can replace that."

Yes, Adam, you're right; it's only stuff. Stuff. stuff. and more stuff. And it can be replaced.

First Day(s) of School

My babies are growing up! Not sure who told them they could do that. I don't think it was me!?!? Anyway- here they are, in their new clothes and shiny shoes... ready to concur the world. :)

and on some days... I am left with this little ham... Whatever will I do?! :)

More than the Leaves are Changing

End of summer? Really? Don't we have another month of summer? I mean, I know that school is starting and all... but that doesn't mean summer is REALLY over. I think I'll hold onto the heat and sunshine a little longer. 


Autumn might be coming, but more than the trees are changing around here. So many changes in our household. Change. Change. Change. So....much....change.... 


My sister lived with us, again, this summer. She left for school Sunday. She graduates college in about a year.


Adam goes to Kindergarten, this week.


Matthew starts pre-school, next week. 


Chloe has been going potty, on the BIG girl potty. Daddy even bought her panties. (Have you SEEN the cute little girl panties? I want Hello Kitty on my panties.) 


Daddy got a new car. A sports car. A fast. little. red. car. 


My niece started Kindergarten last week. 


My mom and dad are having surgeries this week. (YES! Both of them. sigh.)


And me? What's changing with me? Well... nothing right now. Not sure what's going to happen with Mommee. I guess I'm just going to keep taking care of my little family... trying to keep it all together. 


Want to see photos? I thought so! :) 

Here are the two Kindergarten Kiddies

Matty is a budding photographer. :) 

My boys are practicing their Senior Photos. I mean, why not? 

The Princess is perfecting her beauty. 

And I might miss the beach...just a little. 

And this is the car... the cute, little, sports car.... 

her name is Amber. (hope I'm not being replaced...)

Growing

Ah! Adam just keeps doing bigger and better things... Now this....

And the tooth fairy EVEN brought him a DOLLAR! :) Kindergarten and losing teeth...what's next? Marriage?!

Kindergarten!

Dear Adam-

My dear and sweet Adam, I am writing you this letter, to reflect on your wonderful and amazing life (thus far) and to wish you the best in your future adventures and endeavors. You never cease to amaze me, son. Five years and 9 months ago, when you entered this world, you were the most inquisitive and wide eyed newborn, I've ever met. You were a learner, from the very beginning. You wanted to see everything, know everything, and soak it all in. You impress me... every single day. 

As you've grown, over the years, I've been blessed by your caring heart and endless sweetness. You're loving. You're kind. You have a heart for Jesus. You have the desire to do the right thing. You are my sweetie... my little sunshine. 

Adam, you are a learner. You LOVE to know more. You ask intelligent questions and you want to know the answers-- no matter what. In fact, we were told that your teachers, in pre-school, that you were the "class brain," the one with all of the answers and the one who wanted to know MORE. From one learner to another, son-- I am proud of you. I pray that you want to learn, forever... never stop learning! 

As you enter Kindergarten, Adam, I pray that you continue on your path of kindness, love, and learning. I pray that you touch the hearts of everyone you encounter and strive to do your very best, in everything you do! 

Grow. Love. Learn. 

I will forever be your cheerleader. I am so very proud of you. 

Have a wonderful year, Adam!

Love-

Mommy