It's a Golden Life

Parenting is a journey. I would bet money on the fact that you could not find one person who will tell you that they had or even have it all figured out. Even those who strongly believed that their children "would not act/be this way or that". Each child is their own person. They are born with their own personality. Even though my children are siblings, they have completely different dispositions and brain make up. While some children are more prone to obey/listen well/be laid back, there are other children that will be quirky/ energetic/ require more directive guidance. I used to think my children would all be pretty much the same child, just in boy or girl form. Ya know what? They are all completely different. It honestly took me until my third kiddo to grasp that concept. While I have a more laid back child as the firstborn, the second time around was not the case. I have an energetic, sassy, spunky, needs re-direction often, receives the majority of the spankings, sw...

Halynd has been saying the funniest things lately. Just this evening, she picked up a 1/2 inch drill bit that had some dried rust colored paint on it. She got a shocked look  on her face and asked, " What did you do with this?? Did you kill a giraffe?" Donovan and I laughed so hard. She also has an Arkansas southern twang. No one else in the family has one. So, when she has something sarcastic or funny to say, her draw makes it that much more funny to us. Some things she has said recently- "You fuzzy head." "Oh, nuts!" (when she spills or drops something, especially when eating) "You make da best food in da whole whide wuhrold" (in the whole wide world) "You build an awesome... ( office)" (To D about the bookshelves he put up when she first saw them) "I love Jesus more den da whole whide wuhrold"  "I'm going to brush MY HAIR !!" (When she gets in trouble) "Close your eyes, SUpwRISE...

Well, after lysol-ing and bleaching everything, and sending warnings to parents the influenza A virus got through our defenses. Paxton woke up around 9:30 last night with a weird cough. My initial reaction was croup. His cough was barky and he was struggling to breath afterwards. So then I thought-strydor. I gave him Advil, realizing he was in some pain. I also set up the humidifier and added vaporizer to the mix. After many attempts to lay him in his bed, he would not sleep. It was too hard for him to get comfortable and every time he closed his eyes, it seemed as though he would have a coughing fit. So, I resorted to bringing him in my bed. I thought he would be able to get more comfortable with daddy and mommy next to him. He cried on and off from 12 am-3am, when I noticed he started burning up. I took off his shirt, refilled his cup of water, and tried soothing him. With no avail, daddy stepped in. Pax immediately stopped crying and snuggled into D like that's why he had been...

Being a mom: Perfecting my Pummba impressions. Practicing patience everyday. Slipping chocolate chips into pancakes hoping for admiration. Holding them accountable. Hoping that they make good choices while they are away from you. Hoping they respect others. Taking every advantage to breath in their smell or kiss them or hug them. Sometimes I feel like I am failing at my idea of motherhood. My children aren't buddy buddy with me. They aren't attached to me. They often rebel against me. But I love them anyways. If it were anyone other than my children that treated me this way-I would probably turn my back on them out of hurt. They can't see that I do what I do because I have their best interests in mind-that I am helping shape them into a person of character. But I persevere and push towards the future, because I pray they will someday feel the overwhelming love i have for them. They will feel how I would be willing to sacrifice anything for them. They will feel the ...

I wanted to call you and wish you a Merry Christmas. I wanted to call and just hear your voice, actually. I really miss you. The older I get, it seems that I have grasped the depth of loss. I had never experienced losing anyone before. You're so silent. Your memories flash through my mind and the sound of your voice-I hope and pray I always remember that distinct tone. The way you said "Buh-bye". The way you so lovingly called me "Meggie" or "Moo Moo" (short for "Meggie Moo"). How you apologized for not sending me a birthday card on time (because you were in the hospital). Little did I know that was the last card you'd send to anyone. You even still sent a Christmas package last year while you were in so much discomfort. I came across the clothes you sent the kids the other day and wanted to keep them forever. Charlie sent me your Chinese pin cushion. I immediately inhaled the fabric to try and catch your scent, but it has been too long. ...

As I was driving around today, I could not get the tragedy that happened yesterday to stop running through my mind-I'm quite positive I will never be able to. The flags that were all flown at half mast were reminders over and over again. It got me to thinking about those parents, brothers, sisters, friends-that will be burying their loved ones this week. While the nation is mourning for them, the symbolism of the flag being kept at half mast is overwhelming. I feel as if the United States has become a community rather than a giant conglomeration of people who are different, just in a days time. There is no doubt in my mind that during this coming year (ordered by Obama until December 18, 2013 at sunset) every time I see the flag at half mast, I will not only think on the senseless tragedy that has taken place, but mourn for the victims of the families and friends that have been effected. I feel united as a country in mourning for the life that has not only passed, but what their ...

Today marks a big milestone in Malachi's life! Today begins his journey of school. He has been asking for about 3 years now to go to school. He has the personality where he truly enjoys learning something new or putting into practice what he has discovered. He said that he was "up all night" because he was so excited to start school today. We've had a countdown since we found out there was an opening at the preschool center for 10 days, and each day he had to countdown how many more nights he had to sleep until he could go! He said he is most excited to make new friends and to make artwork. We went over all the scenarios of-what if a friend gets mad at you and says mean things, what if you have to go to the bathroom, what if you don't like the food on your plate, and what if a friend believes in Santa and you don't. We tried to prepare him as much as possible. I didn't cry! I know he is going to have the best time! I am going to miss him!! He was suc...