GET AWAY!!

Sometimes I am that mom.(oh and to meet another "that" mom, go to her web site you can see it over this way---->).
 I remember a story once that a women would tell before I had kids.  To make a long story short it was about her just wanting to leave, to just run far away to a place with no children.  Of course as a young woman without kids I was appalled!  I thought, where is CPS when you need them and I will never feel that way about my kids, how could she?!?!?!?  Well what is that old saying?  Oh yeah, NEVER SAY NEVER, AS NEVER IS FOREVER AND FOREVER IS A LONG TIME. 
Now there are days I long to run away.  To get away from the crying, the yelling, the fighting, and yes even sometimes the hanging all over me part. 

When I first had a sweet daughter I didn't seem to need as much time away, but when we added to our numbers I needed more.  I used to feel horribly guilty about it.  Especially when we'd get a sitter.  That the sitter cost too much, that after all they were my kids and I should care for them, no one can put them to bed like mommy, and the list went on and on.  I don't feel like that so much anymore.  In fact just a couple weeks ago I realized I was at the end of my rope.  I hired a sitter and went to a 10 am movie all by myself with red vines and a diet coke.  Then I went home and was a much happier and better mom.  I obviously don't feel guilty any longer.  I just realized that it is OK, because as a mom you know you don't even go to the bathroom by yourself.  I have found when I have time by myself to just be and do what I want, I come home and feel better about kids hanging off me, doing laundry is not quite as painful, and I can hear about the tag game at school while on the toilet. 

So. . my message to you!?  Just do it!  Don't feel guilt and definitely don't let the bag packers (Pack your bags your going on a guilt trip people) say anything to get to you.  Your kids might whine, or cry, or even run screaming after you when you exit.  But trust me they will not be scarred for life because mommy went to Bunco, the show is just for you.  Oh and some bag packers who are also moms will tell you they NEVER go out and that they love spending time with their kids, and they can never leave them, and their spouse would be upset, and you just get to have fun, yada, yada, yada.  My kind words about those moms; smile, nod head yes, and ignore them.  :)  Go out, relax, have a nice time and be the better mommy.

PS I do get to get away this weekend sans kids and am thrilled.  And they probably want to get rid of me too based upon our week. :)

Art from Preschool

So here is a large self portrait from sweet Sean's preschool.

I have no words.  I have not even asked him to describe it all to me yet, because I need to work on my poker face.

A Girl and Her Daddy

So I have a very sweet and sometimes feisty 6 year old daughter.  I have often wondered where women learn the skills of getting what they want from men.  What starts this behavior and how do they work on it?  Well. . .I have found my answer.  With their daddies of course.  I know, I know Freud would love this, here is our story nonetheless.

L:  Mommy I want a tv in my room.
Me:  You are never getting a tv in your room.
L:  That is fine, when daddy gets home I will just say to him "Daddy, I want a tv in my room. "  He will get back in his car and go to the store and buy me a tv. 
Me: HE WILL NOT!! 
L:  He won't because you will talk to him first and tell him to say no.  So instead I will just go to drivers school, learn how to drive and then go to the store myself and get my tv and bring it home.
Me:  You have to be sixteen to drive.
L:  Oh.. . .

REALLY?!?!?  Did I really have that conversation with my 6 year old?  Yes I did. . .what do you think it will look like at 16?  Yikes.  

Then and Now

So I have been going through pictures and I got a bit emotional. 
This is Lauren's first day of preschool ever!

This was the first day of first grade this year. 

This was Sean the very first day of his preschool years.

This is the first day of his last year of preschool.

Time flies when you are having fun!! 

San Diego 2011: A wonderful trip

 Naps on the beach

 Happy 2nd Birthday!  Happy 4th of July!  All at Sea World!

 We discovered C hates characters.

 Eating Dinner waiting for Shamu show and fireworks.

 He fell asleep during the fireworks.

 Breakfast outside.  This would not have happened in Tucson!

 Fell asleep during "the mouse".  Mickey that is.

 Seaport village!

 Ferry to Coronado

 This was a great bike ride and a great work out as Jeff and I were the only ones pedaling.

 Everyone but daddy was buried in the sand.

 Relaxation!!!

They do love each other!!

I even let the kids bury me! 

All a little bit Casey Anthony. . .

So, there is a ton of opinion on Casey Anthony.  To be honest I have tried to stay away from most of it.  Having been a social worker with CPS cases and having worked in the hospital, you really see enough and I have no desire to watch a trial to hear about a sweet baby losing her life. 

After the verdict came in there was several (understatement) opinions being expressed.  From media, celebrities, and a ton on FB.  I saw this post on a friends FB page of a tweet made by the lead singer of Tenth Avenue North.

            "One day, God will pour out justice on Casey Anthony. Or Christ will bear it for her. And so it is with all of us. Something in us longs for justice. Something in us begs for grace. Only at the cross are both preserved & perfectly displayed."

This is summed up exactly what I thought. 
Here is what I have learned over my journey the past few years about humans and grace.

Like it or not. ..

                     We are ALL capable of ANYTHING given the right circumstances.

Yes, I said it and believe it.  We are all capable of addiction, no matter how strong willed or in control we think we are.  We are all capable of severe anger, no matter how passive or flexible we think we are.  All marriages are capable of divorce no matter what fairy tale marriage we might have at this moment. And yes we are ALL capable of doing the unthinkable give the right circumstances. 

I am so tired of judgement.  I am totally guilty of it, but I don't want to be that person because I know in my heart of hearts that NOTHING makes me any better than any other person walking the face of this earth.  

I guess I do long for justice. 

           But I much more relate to begging for grace. Thank God for it.

Boston

Last week I was blessed to be able to accompany my sweet husband on a business trip to Boston.  He called late on a Friday afternoon and said he had to go for work and did I want to go with him?  I am not sure I could have said yes any faster!  Boston is an amazing city, one I could visit over and over again.  Here are some pictures and things I have learned while in Boston.

To walk any where just don't pay attention to the lights.  Jaywalking is a must to get anywhere fast.
There is a crazy culture difference between the coasts.  Not as much skin shows in Boston as in San Diego or even Tucson for that matter.  And yes. . I was a pretty brown white person in comparison to white folks in Boston.

Oh how I love the water. I love lakes, rivers, oceans.  I love the water.  I am obviously living in the wrong place. There is something so wonderful and peaceful about water.

You can get a beer on almost any corner everywhere. Taverns in Boston are like Circle K's in Arizona.

I must have an accent, but I want to know what it sounds like compared to the Bawwwston accent.  Does anyone know what it sounds like??

Fenway is a cool place to see baseball game. And that is an understatement.

There is really no car needed in Boston and I would love to take my kids, but only when they can carry their own stuff.

Many, many places serve grilled cheese.  I love grilled cheese. 

It was great. . here are some pictures. :)