Snakes, Lizards, Bears, oh My!

I'm a Cali gal...born and raised. I saw 1 snake in my 30+ years of living there and only encountered a couple bears from afar. I remember when we bought our house in the Highlands. I was petrified of the bears, mountain lions, snakes and coyotes I had heard about. After living there for a year or so, my fear subsided to a heightened awareness during the Summer when the animals were out more. I never came face to face with a bear or mountain lion but they did make their presence known through various means. I only saw 2 snakes in my 5 years there~ one the day before we moved out of NV. By the time we moved I was disappointed to say goodbye to the wildlife that fascinated me (I was still scared of mountain lions but not bears or coyotes). Now that we're here it's become a different type of wildlife that I fear. I'm not a fan of lizards or frogs but I absolutely despise snakes. Unfortunately, they've become a part of life here. If you were to visit our house, you'd pull up and think I was lazy because our front flowerbed is overgrown with weeds. Truth is that last Summer I was pulling weeds when a snake slithered out and literally came face to face with me. Since that day I've only pulled weeds during the Winter...when there aren't many. Saying to the boys, "Watch for snakes" has become routine. We were at the pond yesterday and P almost stepped on one. Thankfully it slithered away one way while he ran the other way. Our neighbor boys catch garter snakes all the time but I don't know the difference in types of snakes so I tell my boys to leave all snakes alone. In the South, every harmless AND poisonous snake resides. But such is life. I can't say my fear of snakes has subsided to a heightened awareness. Ironically I'm more scared of snakes than bears still. But I guess you just learn to conquer your fears no matter where you live because there's wildlife everywhere. So cheers to the wildlife that make every day life interesting!

Memorial Day Fun

What a beautiful family weekend....just what we needed. We took the boat out a couple times and even got stuck in a storm yesterday. The boys played in the pool. I got to do some shopping. And the most important thing we did (other than church) was to visit the national cemetery downtown. I'm thankful that P is at an age where he's starting to grasp the more difficult things in life. After we left he asked a lot of questions about war and soldiers. What I couldn't answer we Googled. It was such a great weekend, thanks to the soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

Graduation Day

Yesterday I was bawling as I said goodbye to P, knowing that his first day of Kindergarten would be hard for him and us. Wait. No, yesterday I was bawling because I was saying goodbye to his first year of school. He had his Kinder graduation and between you and me I've never agreed with them. I don't think "graduating" Kindergarten should be made into a big deal. Until yesterday. I was the proud mama with my camera phone, my professional camera and my video alternating to capture every precious moment of the songs they sang and getting his Kindergarten certificate. I was a hot mess~ with the tears and cameras.
But I was also proud. Proud that he has become quite the reader. Proud that he has learned basic addition and subtraction. Proud that he's made friends and learned socialization skills. My heart was bursting~ with pride and sadness. It seems like just yesterday I found out I was pregnant. Just yesterday that I became a mom for the first time. Just yesterday that I held him while he looked up at me and said "Mama" for the first time. Just yesterday that I left him at daycare. Just yesterday that he started his first day of Kindergarten. It's been a great year. I could not have asked for a better teacher, principal or school for his first year of education. He has grown so much in all areas of life because of the people who influenced him every day at school. And now onto the next chapter......1st grade! MAKE TIME STOP...or at least slow down cause this mama can't handle anymore "yesterdays".

Mother's Day

Last Thursday, with the help of Rob, family and friends, I was able to pull off the surprise of all surprises! Every year I do the 1 mile Komen's Race for the Cure walk with my aunt and mom in memory of my nana. This year my mom thought I'd miss it for the first time in 12 years. How wrong she was! I FaceTimed her before I took E to my friend's house and went on and on about how my day was going to be so busy (Not a lie!). Then I hopped a plane (Thanks to my generous husband) and headed out West. To say she was surprised was an understatement! Due to her health, we had a mellow but very fun weekend. She, in return, surprised me by completely the entire 1 mile walk without needing medical assistance. It was the perfect Mother's Day weekend, one I won't soon forget!

Mother's Day Wish List

Just 2 days out of the year I want to be selfish. 363 days of the year I'll gladly give the attention to the boys (husband included) in my life but I want 2 days to be all about ME~ my birthday and Mother's Day. I've earned those 2 cherished days. And, although you may think of me as being selfish for these days, greedy I am not. I don't want overpriced flowers or jewelry I won't wear or chocolate that I'm trying to not overindulge in (the expensive camera lens I've been eyeing for months I'd gladly take though). I want things that cost little to nothing for Mother's Day. I want:
1) To sleep whenever I feel like it. Whether sleeping in or taking a long afternoon nap or going to bed early, I want to know I can sleep without feeling guilty about it.
2) I want my husband to get the boys ready for church so I can take a long, hot bubble bath with my morning cup(s) of coffee, not being rushed and not having to argue over what shirt and shoes the boys have to wear.
3) I want the boys to make or pick out their own Mother's Day card for me. I want it to be all about them buying/making something they think I'd like, mainly because I love to hear WHY they chose what they did. Plus, it means more to see their own writing, knowing it was heartfelt.
4) Speaking of heartfelt writing, I want my oldest and/or my husband to write out a short list (They decide how long) of the reasons why they think I'm a good mom. This is not to build my ego per se but it's to look at on my days I'm struggling as a mom. You know? The days where you feel you can't do anything right. That list goes a long way in helping soothe the soul on those days.
5) I want a meal I haven't cooked or have to clean up. It doesn't have to be fancy. In fact, it doesn't even have to be my favorite meal (I don't even know how to make sushi or eggplant parmesan) but it has to be a meal I don't have to plan out and prepare...or clean up.

See? I'm not being greedy. Just selfish. I want a special day to honor me, to make me feel cherished. I've heard men say, "Well, you're not my mom so I don't have to do anything for you." Hogwash. Your wife is the MOTHER of your children. Without her, you wouldn't have Father's Day to celebrate. Besides, it sets a precedent for your young children. The boys learn how to treat a woman, how to make her feel special and loved. Girls learn that being a mother is an important job, one they'll most likely have when they're older. It shows them that women are important even if their *only* job is being a mom (And let's be honest...that's a BIG job!). So this Mother's Day I hope you celebrate ALL the moms in your life, whether you're married to her or she's given birth to you. Make her special for this one day. I promise that she'll make YOU feel special the other 363 days out of the year (and 364 days if she doesn't celebrate her birthday)!!!

Happy Mother's Day to all the beautiful, wonderful, loving mothers I know!!!

It's Been Too Long My Friend.....

OK, OK, I've been told by more than one person that it's been too long since the last time I've blogged. But, honestly, this is the first time I've sat down at the computer since my last blog to do anything other than photography or bill related activity. To say we've been busy is an understatement. In fact, I went to the doctor last week for a whole grocery list of things but the main one is that I'm so tired all the time. Turns out everything is fine. I'm just an old mom who puts more on her "To Do" list than can humanly be accomplished in one day.
Since it's been a (long) while since I've blogged, this one will be more of a "catch up" one. But where to start? Rob has been crazy, insanely busy with work and fishing tournaments, putting me in "single mom mode". Overall it's been fine as I've gotten used to it over the years but the boys and I do have our moments. The tables have turned, so to speak, with the boys. P is the one challenging me while E is the one making me laugh. We went through this last year with P around this time so I'm praying that it'll be a quick phase and all will settle down with him soon. E, on the other hand, has really become Personality Plus lately. He has started talking to people in passing and loves being a ham. If it makes someone laugh he'll repeat it, hoping for another laugh. He's also become our basketball pro. I'm not kidding when I tell you that he finds his zone and shoots hoops for 10-15 minutes in a row, rarely missing a shot. It's fun to watch him grow into a little man, but I also miss my baby.
Praise the Lord I finished my teaching contract for the year a couple weeks ago. It was not hard work at all and I thoroughly enjoyed it. But the last group I had was challenging as was the school. Plus it was taking away from my photography business, which is keeping me on my toes. Every time I think I'll have some downtime to work on the business side of things (website design, anyone???) I get contacted about scheduling a session....and I LOVE it!! This business has helped me meet some fun people and challenge my creativity. I thank God daily for giving me the courage to do something I've dreamed of doing since childhood! I know how blessed I am and I don't take it for granted. Ever.
So, most of you know, but last week we had the mother of all storms. I should've known it was bad when Rob called and said I should pull P out of school for the day because he NEVER freaks out about storms. But I missed my time frame in getting him so E and I played b-ball in the hall while under a tornado watch/warning (whatever the one is where your phone starts blowing up, "See shelter immediately!"). E asked for a snack and I figured it'd be safe to go out to the kitchen to get him one. When I looked outside it looked like it was 10pm instead of 10am. I have never in my life seen it so dark during the day, didn't even know it was possible. Other than our trampoline flying over the back fence we had minimal damage done. All of our neighbors really impressed me because they knew Rob would be working insane hours (25hrs the day of the storm). So all of them called or texted to ask if we were ok and wondered how they could help. 2 of them came over and helped me get the trampoline back in the backyard. It made me happy to know that people care.
Speaking of caring, it's been hard for me to make close friends here for some reason. Our youth pastor's wife and I have become close since she became E's daycare provider last Fall. So I am heartbroken, knowing that I have to say goodbye to her this weekend. For reasons that don't need to be made public on this blog, they felt it was time for them to pastor a church elsewhere. She and I have done so much together the past few months that I don't know what I'll do without her 10 minutes away. I love that she and I can be real with each other, not having to act a certain way, accepting each other the way true friends should. I am excited about visiting them in TN because I've always wanted to go there and this provides the opportunity to see them and a beautiful state, but selfishly I'd rather visit the state, knowing she and her wonderful family were close by us instead.
P is ending his first year in school later this month. It's been such a fun year (for the most part) and I've loved helping in his class. But I'm also excited about getting to spend the Summer with both boys. We have lots of fun stuff planned and I can't wait to get it started...a weekend getaway to Pensacola, VBS, basketball camp, swim lessons and a much needed, SUPER LONG trip to Cali. So forgive me if you don't see a blog up here as regularly as you'd like. Between being a wife, a mom and a photographer life has me pretty busy these days.....and I wouldn't have it any other way! So until next time....take care.

The Happiest Place on Earth!

A month or so ago I came across a deal for some Disney tickets. The glitch? They had to be used by mid May. So I talked to Rob about it and we decided we'd take P during his Spring Break, just the 3 of us. P and I researched different parks and found the ones he thought he'd like best. We left Wednesday when Rob got off work and made a whirlwind trip out of it. We spent about 6 hours at Epcot the first day and 10 1/2 hours at Magic Kingdom the 2nd day. Our last morning there was spent at Downtown Disney, where we rode a tethered hot air balloon above the Disney Bay. P also built, race and won a Lego car race at the Lego store. We were exhausted by the time we left Orlando but it was so worth it! It was such an awesome vacation full of fun memories and LOTS of laughter! It was everything I'd hoped it would be and then some!! P was young enough to find the magic in it, the lines weren't too long, P was brave about going on all the rides, the weather was beautiful....
I went back and forth about taking my professional camera but decided in the end not to because I didn't want to spend the time stressing about it. So 95% of the pictures were taken with my iPhone and I'm just as okay with that because I spent more time enjoying the moment and less time worrying about being a photographer. Here are just a few of the pictures I took from our amazing time at Disney........

view from hot air balloon

P's Lego car on the right, which won the race

One pooped puppy

First roller coaster ride

Buzz Lightyear ride

We HAD to have some pool time!

The Disney hot air balloon ride

Jungle Cruise

He thought he was a pirate after riding the Pirates of the Caribbean ride

Tea cups

Speedway race (He was a terrible driver!)

When he first saw the Disney entrance

Fire engine at Epcot

One of his favorite things at Epcot? The Monsters Inc playground

He liked the hotel we stayed at way more than Rob and I did.

Sun setting on a beautiful day at the Magic Kingdom