To the Women in my life

As I sit here and type this, it is with guilt ridden feelings because I forgot to send out Mother's day gifts to the women in my life to show acknowledgement and gratitude for their teachings and love.  As Milton and I were laying in bed last night talking about how we forgot to send something because we were so busy, My husband made the comment "It's okay.  They really don't care if they get something." Now he was saying that in regards to the fact that our mothers are not materialistic not to the fact that they are ungrateful.  I responded " Think about all the stuff we did not care about that are mothers still did for us.  Think about all the nights staying up late or hours worked in our behalf that we ourselves did not care about or recognize." My husband responded as all husband should "Your Right!"  So although we do still plan on sending a little something to the women in our lives I wanted to do something today that you could have from me to you.

As everyone knows, our children are adopted and because they were adopted at a later age they are very well aware of the fact that they have another mother in this world.  To make them feel normal, I have told them that I have several mothers in my life and it is this blog post that it is dedicated to them.

To my mother in law:
I thank you for raising a son that is so hard working.  He puts forth 100% effort in all that he does. He is truly a helpmate in all sense of the word and I am grateful to have him as a partner that works right along side me.  I know that is because he had a great mother that taught him the value of work and how to have a clean home.

Thank you for teaching me that not every thing has to be big and it is the little things that count.  This has been a valuable lesson as I have developed into a wife and now a mother.  You taught me to never go anywhere empty handed and always bring a little something.  I truly value that.

Thank you for always taking an interest in Milton's and mine's life.  It is heartwarming to know that you care and want to know what is going on.  That you consistently make contact with Milton and always make the effort to come and see us.

Thank you for loving my children.  Thank you for never making me feel bad that I could not give your son a child on my own. You have never once degraded me for that or made me feel less of a woman but instead worked right along side me to help me fulfill my dream of one day becoming a mother.

I love you for this and more.

To my Jeanie

Thank you for loving my dad.  When anyone is a teenager, they are too self absorbed to look beyond themselves.  As I have grown into a woman and through our conversations I have learned the depth of your love for my dad, for seeing in him more good than bad, and being his number one supporter.

Thank you for never bad mouthing my mother or making feel as if I could not speak to you about her. You were confident enough in your self to not be threatened or take this as anything else than a daughter talking about her mother.  I am working on this and remembering this lesson when my children talk of their birth mother

One of my favorite things about you is your nails. I always remember you having your nails done and most of the time doing them yourself.  I remember being fascinated with the fact that you could do them yourself and make them so flawless.   It has given me a love of being pampered every now and then and painting my nails.

Thank you for all the recipes you taught me.  They are still some of my favorite and are used in my home.

Thank you for our long talks.  I am a big talker and it is flaw that I am working on but you have always been a patient listener. Thank you for never making me feel like I talk too much and always being willing to listen.

Thank you for loving my children.

I love your for this and more.

To my mother

Thank you for always seeing the best in me.  There are things that you love about me that even I did not see in myself.  You make me want to be that person that you see in me.

Thank you for being my biggest cheerleader, my greatest fan, and my dedicated coach throughout my life.  There is no one else that is more invested, more enthralled, more enthusiastic about my life than you.   It feels good to know that I have someone that cares and wants to know the everyday boring details of my life.  I strive to be this in my children's lives.

Thank you for loving my children more than you love me!!  LOL! Thank you for being all that you have been in my life to them in their life.  If something was to happen to me there is peace in knowing that my children will never have a day where they do not know love.

Thank you for teaching me to be independent.  It is one of my greatest assets and I thank you for it.

Thank you for believing in my dreams and never teaching me or making me feel like something could not be accomplished.  You care and support every dream your children have ever had.  You celebrate and dream right along side us and never diminish or damper the dreams that we have.

Thank you for being the type of mother that I could come to about ANYTHING. I was never scared to say anything to you.  You showed that you valued me as a human being, a daughter, and a member of our family more than appearances, popularity, or perfection.  Even when we have said things that as a mother were probably hard to hear.  You always showed concern and love over chastisement and criticism.

I love you for this and more


I wish I could write all the feelings that I feel for these women in my life.  I wish I could show how my heart feels for you. I love each of you for all these things and so much more!

All Hallow Eves

You know I had to document the actual day.  I LIVE FOR HALLOWEEN

my little red riding hood

trunk or treat at church

I love this shot.  It show the excitement of running house to house

ding dong

my two men

yes I still dress up

He just makes me laugh

This is now a tradition

witchy woman

witchy witch

sisters

charge!!

silly little gumdrops

Her actually birthday

So Millie's birthday did not fall on the day of her party. It was so time during the week.  So we always try to do something to make the actual day a little special.  We went and had lunch with her and that day she picked to go to the park.  She also got a very special package from Grandma Lisa.  They lady made her sign for it and everything. It was so cute!

Millie Moo

My middle child or Millie Moo as she is known around these parts is my Halloween birthday.  Do you know how much this makes me want to scream?!!! I LOVE AND LIVE FOR HALLOWEEN.  I guess it is the theatre person in me that loves to dress up and act the part.  Last year Millie wanted a mermaid party.....my heart was punctured...not really but it was hard to swallow that instead of a Halloween themed party.  So this year when she said she wanted to do a Halloween party I was over the moon and so exited. So we decided to do a witch's ball and man was it exactly that....a ball. Get ready for picture overload because this party was so fun to plan!  she has already informed me that next year she wants an alien party....huh?

The spread

I loved this cake. It was so perfect

I made these invitations.  Can I tell you how much I was in love with these?

witch's hats

witch's broomsticks

witch's fingers (are you sensing a theme)

pumpkin poop (this makes all the kids laugh)

beautiful witches chowing down on deadman toes

Do you know how much we love Ms. Sharon? Words can not explain how lucky we are to have her in our life.  She gets crazy calls from me and is the calm amongst my storm.  We love you!

We finally got to meet her lovely daughter.  She was the biggest help at the party and it made my heart melt with how much personal attention she showed my children.  She was truly there just for them and it showed in her attention to them

There is no clue to tell the amount of sugar that he ingested this day

I think we wore her out. 

The posse'

my little witch!! She is all mine

Random Ramblings

Just going through the pictures that do not really have a place for one blog but are too cute not to post.

Flashlight tag is the best. Ignore the messy cabinet behind me

Every once in a while he talks us into taking him to Chuck E Cheese while his sisters are at school

This just warms my heart.  She has come such a long way with spontaneous affection on her own.  

National night in downtown fate. Trying to be more involved in the community.  Okay I just lied. They had free food which meant this momma did not have to cook

again with the literal sweet talk

Tesi at National night out

Can you believe that two of my three children were too scared to get in the firetruck....yeah me either

One day I got brave when the kids were out of school and took them to six flags by myself.  Not as bad as I thought. 

He was my riding partner

Dont you play soccer with cowgirl boots on? No well that is the Texas way

again Texas style soccer

trying to stay dry at a soccer game for Tesi...best cuddle partners ever

Milton and I had to take care of some business at the bank and our little business partner went with us.  Doesn't he look in his element?

Texas weather...one minute it is short season...five minutes later we need winter coats. I drive around with a closet in my mini van