Enjoy The Journey!

Hi Everyone! The sun is finally fighting a stronger grip on this small spot I call home and has melted the snow! Hurrah! I have some brave crocuses booming and buds on my trees. At last! And best of all...my body feels the relief from the cold and dampness our long 7 months of winter we had. Bring on the sunshine!!!

Next week is an exciting week for our family. Gramma ( my mom ) is flying in to come celebrate my middle son's high school graduation. I must admit I have been feeling a bit nostalgic these past few months and its culminating with this grad party next Thursday. This whole year especially has seemed like a bit of a life changer in our family. Not in a bad way, just in a 'hey they are a grown up' kind of way. 

My oldest is 21, has a steady girlfriend, works full time, and basically comes home to sleep or eat or change clothes. Ha! He's such a pleasant young man, involved in so many wonderful things and we are very proud of him. Now...if we could get him to clean his room....

My 'baby' is going to be 16 this summer while he is gone to Air Cadet camp. He started High School this year and just loves it! He is involved with 3 bands, 2 with his bagpipes and one with his trombone. Everyone I talk to tells me how hard working and polite he is. I'm going to miss him while he's gone for those 6 weeks! 

Jeff Grade 12 Grad 2013

But the nostalgia I've been feeling has been really coming on with my middle son this year. Seems like so many milestones. He turned 18, just got his drivers license, finished his 'career' in high school football. And its not just his milestones, its all of his buddies too...my extended group of kids. I have watched this bunch of kids grow up since grade 5.

 These young men and women now finishing a milestone that just a few years ago seemed so far away. Picking grad dresses and suits now....discussing limos...parties...and then after, college, university? 

I have chatted with my son and some of his friends,and while they are all excited there is that bitter sweet knowledge that things will never be the same, that they can feel things are already changing. And while there is a little bit of sadness in saying goodbye to the comfort of your childhood, there is a whole life time of opportunity and excitement ahead of them all!! 

So to my young man...Congrats to my Grad!!and your dad and I are very proud of you!! and to the crazy bunch that call me 'mom'...I luvs y'all!! and I am so very proud of each and every one of you!! Just listen for the crazy lady at grad cheering for each one of you crossing that stage!!

Enjoy the journey Grads of 2013!!

Hearts of Gold

Long time no post! Hope that 2013 has been good to you and your families so far. I have was looking at the calendar this morning and could hardly believe I had let 3 months go by without any posts. Well... this will be rectified today! Ha!

Part of the reason I haven't posted was that I have been at a loss for subject matter. My fibromyalgia has taken a toll on me and my family this winter and so there is only so much you can write about when you don't leave your bedroom.

This January I was able to visit out East to Ontario and see some of my cute nephews and one for my nieces. I had the rare opportunity to have some great sister time! (no hubbies! Just us girls and mom!) It's a very special thing to have such an understanding and supportive family.

One of my nephews figured out this visit that auntie is 'for real' sick. Not just tired... Not sick with a cold... But bigger than normal sick. He sat down with me one day while the two of us watched TV and he asked me it's like to be sick like me.

Wow.... how do you answer that? So, I paused, then said that most days I'm me just super tired. Then some days I'm me, super tired but also have hands that won't hold things really well like he can and sometimes they hurt, but not to worry because auntie has a good doctor that checks on her lots and let's me have medicine that helps take the pain away and I feel way better!

I could see the gears cranking in his brain as he processed this information. Then he snuggled up to me and said, "we can still do this though, right auntie?" Oh Yes! Wild horses won't stop me from snuggling with my nieces and nephews! "and auntie! I'm here... so if you need help, I can do it for you!" And for the rest of my trip that young man checked on me, opened bottles, grabbed things for me... but best of all... we snuggled Lots!

It's funny how my young nephews figured out in a short period of time that I had an issue but instead of shutting me out like so many people tend to do, these little guys all asked specific questions about my illness and then all 3 of them asked how could they help. It was amazing to me how genuine their hearts were. Even the 4 year old asked me if he sat with me if it helps (always!)

So thank you boys!! And my sweetie niece with all her dancing and singing.  I was spoiled rotten by mom (yeah moms!!!!) And it was so awesome to just be with my sisters. I am so blessed by the wonderful family that I have and I am going to finish this post with some action shots of some of the most special people in my world!! (And ya...I have some pretty smoking great brother in laws for letting my sisters come out and play while I was there visiting!! Thanks guys!!)