Queenies Little Kingdom

It’s time for me to fess up. Everything I’ve been feeling all weekend has come to a head. Sister is about to blow. Who can blame me? Too much change for one weekend.

Life. Be still. Please.

I had no idea how much emotion would sneak in on what should have been a wonderful weekend of celebrating. It all started with my oldest turning 21. Don’t get me wrong, I’m cool with getting older…but my baby? Ouch, stinging…please stop! He’s a great young man get over it already. Trying. He inspires me to stay focused on what is most important. For him…that involves loving life and enjoying every minute. Again, trying.

Not only did he celebrate a birthday…..but he packed for another trip. This time all the way to Greenlake Wisconsin for the entire summer. I’ve actually had him home for a total of 11 days and more than 3 of them were spent somewhere else with someone other than me. Boo! He’s grown now. I’m intelligent enough to understand this. I miss having him around. But, I’m proud of who he is and what he’s doing.

On Friday night, we went out to party as a family at Key West Shrimp House in Madison. It was our chance to have fun with Ally & Gavin before they scooted off to do their own thing. After we came home (very late) Ally and I decided we wanted to bake a graduation cake and decorate it ourselves. It turned out so cute. Ally followed a picture off the internet and voila! Came up with the cutest pink rosey cake ever. She’s an artist in everyway.

I fell into bed after 1am Saturday and had to be up by 7am to get the graduate up and rolling. I whipped up some pasta dishes and other goodies for lunch before racing up to the hot gym. It is not air-conditioned in our HS gym and everyone and anyone attends graduation. Sweet! Seating is a first-come first-serve sort of thing (DON’T GET ME STARTED HERE!!!) which means people who aren’t PARENTS sit where they can see and parents end up in the rafters up top. Brilliant, eh? You’d think someone would come up with “reserved” seating for parents, huh? Naaaah! It’s always been this way! Bitter, yes! 🙁

I cheered ran downstairs so I could see to take her picture. Missed it. But I did get this one as she was returning to her chair.

I sat down on the steps (right beside her) and snapped this one too. Isn’t she beautiful?

I didn’t have time to get emotional….so I didn’t. That all came later. Way later.

By this time, we are so sweaty and miserable….smiling was all we could do.

I’m trying to be adult about the whole thing. But the tears seem to fall so easily. This is what I’ve been preparing my children to do. Grow up and leave. Why is it so tough to do? My heart feels like it’s being twisted like a washrag. Then…this on top of it all—–>

Grandparents leave. We loved having them here to visit (even with our busy lives) and miss them already. More change.

Will I ever get used to all these changes? I think I will. Right now, the emotions are too raw to see that far ahead. Pray for me. I know I’m not the only mom to face this. It’s just my turn.

Congraduations, Ally! I’m so proud of you! Class of 2011!

I’ve kept this quiet until now….but my yard has been a landmine of tree parts. It was a project that had to be done. Dead trees do not bode well in a neighborhood famous for terrible storms. Remember my power outage last week? Big trees, lots of wind and soaking wet ground delivered a lovely amount of damage. Thank you killer storm! Which leads me to my riveting post.

For the last few weeks my husband has been on a mission to take down some dead trees that were on our fence line. When I say dead trees, I mean one huge trunk with two gigantic trees sprouting out of it reaching up to the sky. Monster size, yet dead! Which makes for a dangerous situation. If they fell one way…..we’d be paying repairs for our neighbor. If they came our way…..goodbye cars, camper and whoever happens to be in our driveway/yard.

So, see our dilemma?

The problem? It’s scary hard work. What else? ADHD runs wild in my family (mainly my hubby—who was in charge of the sit-che-a-shun) and I couldn’t take the pressure of what “could happen”! So, I did what any intelligent person would do…..I went shopping! 😉

I came home and all was right with the world. Oh and the trees were down. Everywhere! Safely, I might add. Go Daddy Go! Now, in my husband’s free time…..he has to chop those suckers up and stack them nicely for winter. Yay, us!

I’m thankful no one was hurt or smooshed and I’m really glad the job is over. Now I can get on with my life and celebrate a graduation! One more day……my girl will be officially out of school! Yeehaw!

I became a mother 21 years ago today. I’d been dreaming of being one my whole life. I tried to picture what they’d look like and the kind of people they’d turn out to be. Today, as I reflect on my life and the family God has blessed me with….I’m amazed that I had any part in it. I’m a flawed human being. I fall short and I flub up. I speak when I should be quiet. I react when I should stay still. I wound when I’d rather love. I’m just a speck of what I should be as a follower of Christ.

I’m learning. Still.

Mothering a son is different than daughters. Girls are so serious and uptight. Boys just love life. However they can get it…..they plan to experience every little inch of it. Girls want everything to look just right. Boys aren’t just dreamers they’re do-ers. {I still have the painted garbage cans to prove it} If they can imagine it, they’re most likely going to try it. I like that about boys. They only need the basics to function and be happy. Food, shelter & affirming words go a long way with a feller.

Over the last 21 years of loving the sweetest boy in the world……I’ve fulfilled my dream of being a mama. I’ve also found that he doesn’t just need the basics. He needs me to be his mother. No one else can be that. Oh sure, someone else can play the part….but I know that all those nights I spent in that rocking chair holding him close to my heart built a forever love connection between him and me. He relies on me. He looks to me for guidance and assurance that he’s heading in the right direction. He needs to know……that I believe in him. It’s up to me to love him even when he fails.

Being an older brother automatically lands you many responsibilities. Especially if your siblings are sisters. Setting the best examples and leading with integrity just came naturally for Gavin. We love to tease about how awesome Gavin is (in my eyes) in our family. Honestly, he really is pretty fantastic. He takes things seriously (most things). Stuff comes naturally for him. He’s smart, genuinely kind and athletic to boot. He did everything early except get his baby teeth. hehe! I can still see him riding by on a bike at my aunt’s house at 4 years old WITHOUT TRAINING WHEELS! He didn’t have time to wait.

He was ready. Always ready.

I celebrate his life today. Turning 21 is a big deal to most young college dudes. It’s like a right of passage to do whatever it is a man can do. I’m thankful for the kind of son Gavin is and the person he is in Jesus Christ. He chooses to follow God. He purposes himself for the Lord and lives in a way that brings Him glory. I’m overwhelmed by that confidence & courage. Gavin is a Godly young man who seeks after the things that will bring him closer to Christ. I’m so excited for his future. There’s nothing he cannot do (with Christ) and there’s nothing he wants to do (without Christ).

He’s ready. Always ready.

Happy Birthday, Sweetboy! I love you. I believe in you. I’m proud of you. I’m always here for you.
Mom!

Memories of my day.

I have a theory. When I arrived at school this morning at 7am there was NO AIR-CONDITIONING on! The entire day ended up being one big giant hotflash!!! That’s where my theory comes in. Maybe…just maybe it was a strategic move on the part of the school system. You know, make it so disgustingly hot that no one will ever want to come back to school! haha!

It worked! I ain’t going back! 😉

So, hello summerbreak! I’m ready to wrap myself up in your awesomeness! I’ll be a new wife, mom & blogger now that school is out. Ahhh!

It’s been a long weekend. Literally. So much has happened and been accomplished. I’m exhausted. I have to go to bed. But, I wanted to throw up a post before I fell into la-la land. I’m likely to get busy again….and not post for a while.

[I have told you about graduation, right?] It’s this next Saturday.

I have to be at school by 7am in the morning to decorate for senior breakfast. I’m feeling a bit melancholy about it all. The busyness of life interrupts the reality of what’s going on (I think). Plus, I’m extra tired. Which isn’t good. I keep battling the sore throat thing…..it’s a sign. Slow down!

My girl will be lining up with all her peeps tomorrow, waiting anxiously to get into the cafeteria for their FINAL meal in high school. Wow! Pancakes served on a paper placemat with a trip down memory lane video to boot. It will be emotional for them and for the parents that will be there serving. But that’s how it goes. Good times end. Life moves on.

She’s going to love all the special moments of this event and hide them forever in her heart.

So will I.

Congratulations Ally & the class of 2011!

I WILL NOT FLIP!

I WILL NOT LOSE IT!

I WILL NOT SCREAM!

I WILL NOT GO HARRY-SCARRY!

I WILL NOT….

That’s what I keep saying to myself, over and over! Since Wednesday during the night sometime (ya know, when I was tornado watchin?) our power has been out. Now, that’s understandable for the weather we experienced…..but today is Friday and my entire neighborhood has electricity except for me and 6 other houses.

I’m starting to get mighty crazy!

This has happened to us SO MANY TIMES! We’ve reached the point of losing our entire refridgerator/freezer. My house is a total wreck. Laundry is piled to heaven. Everything is dirty. We’ve eaten out two nights this week. In-laws and son are returning TONIGHT at 11pm in Indy from their Washingto trip. The house is a wreck. It’s finals week. Graduation and all it’s follies are in a week.

I tell you all this…..not to make you feel sorry for me, but just to get it off my chest. I woke up this morning at 5:45am and drove up to my school so I could take a hot shower and style my hair. I was so tired and I let myself fall into feeling sorry for myself. That triggered the rest of my morning into a huge woe is me. Didn’t get me anywhere and certainly didn’t change a thing. My circumstances….were still the same.

On my drive back to school…..I passed 4 huge bucket trucks (one carrying our new pole) as they were heading to my house. I was so looney, that I started clapping my hands in the air. Like a jerk….not a happy person. 🙁

{Like, seriously…..is it their fault the trees fall in my neighborhood?}

I’m needing a regroup! A “Snap out of it!”.

Oh and electricity would be nice too. 😉