It's done!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/klhmendoza/S7300976.jpg

Can't wait to wear! Did wear my cut stone pendant today with lots of compliments! I can see why John doesn't like to buy me jewelry anymore when I wear so much of my own "creations."

I have no patience, even with myself....

I've been working on a crystal bracelet about every other day. I saw something on a coworker at a baby shower last year and finally decided to do it. But man, this is taking more time than I thought, and I'm not liking it. I've always done quick, easy things before, this is easy, but far from quick. I want to have it done SO bad just so I can wear it, which won't even be often.

I'm about 5 hours into it, I think more than 1/2 way done. So far I have a base of small clear crystals, some med teals, and some large greens. I want to add some pinks and purples, to the point I don't see much of the chain itself. I just don't have the patience to wait for myself to finish it!

Sad thing is, I'm already planning my next bracelet, something funky inspired (meaning I'm lifting the style) of my friend Mindy.

I just wish I'd hurry up and be done already!

Wednesday's Wisdom

Aesop:

-"Adventure is worthwhile."
-"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."
-"We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified."
-"People often grudge others what they cannot enjoy themselves."

Well, my brain is gearing for Indpendence Day...

I have "I'm a Yankee Doddle Dandy" stuck in my head the last few days. What's worse is I got it from looking through a scrapbook magazine, something totally innocent, but deadly all the same. Hope it's out of my system after Monday, if I can stand it that long.

I have it so bad, I've been thinking how cute it would be for JJ to sing it.

Told you, deadly.

Wednesday's Wisdom

I'm doing something different with this than "wacky" or "wordless." I've recently been thinking about how many people throughout history have been quoted, and why we repeat such quotes. So, from now on, as long as I can remember to do it, Wednesdays will be about what I feel I want to live my life by, what attributes I feel best describes either how I feel I am now, or how I want to become.

So, for my 1st:

Helen Keller
~ I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.
~ Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.
~ The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.
~ It is not possible for civilization to flow backwards while there is youth in the world. Youth may be headstrong, but it will advance it allotted length.

A child's wisdom....

At 4 JJ is very precocious. Yesterday he explained to me that he can run so fast the rain won't get him wet. Yes, it reminded me of the Chicken Soup for the Soul story.

But Sunday he said something that told me he understands somewhat of what we are doing....

He explained to John and myself that the baby's Mommy & Daddy brought him home, now he is with us, and we share him.

I had worried at times how this would affect him. I've never explained to JJ visitations, court, or any of this process. He just knows that sometimes Mommies and Daddies need extra help.

Through it all, I still wonder what he will think about our choice when he's older. Hopefully he will look back and think of the extra things it brought to his life too.

Another shameless request....

to vote for JJ:
http://photos.parents.com/category/vote/photo/407437

When is it officially summer?

When do you officially know it is summer? Is it June 21st, or when the heat hits? Is it your 1st trip to the pool or beach? Or a family bbq?

For me it's the food. It's steamed crabs and fresh veggies, and of course, the first watermelon of the summer.

Yeah, I'm a country girl.

He's all "my fault."

Everything about JJ gets blamed on me. His "grace" (lack thereof), his motor-mouth, his smart-mouth, etc. There are many things I will take credit for, but quite frankly, I know how John is now, I'm not dumb, he didn't become that way over-night. He has just as much to do with JJ's genes as I do.

So, I set out to prove him wrong. With his brother having been up this past week, I told him ahead of time I was going to find out the real story. Come on, after reading his baby book and seeing how he cried if he wasn't held (just like JJ) I knew there was a lotta poppa in the son.

And yes, it was all confirmed: John was clumsy, spoiled, a smart-aleck, etc.

That finger can point both ways now. Thanks Norman for the confirmations!

My hubby is a rocking Father

John receiving his award Sunday.

Spilling the beans b/c I just can't keep it in

JJ is a self-admitted momma's boy and will tell anyone he loves me more, but that doesn't take from the fact that John is an awesome Dad. He is great with Day & Meer and he struggled for 15 years, unfortunately unsuccessfully, to help raise Brandon.
So, this weekend he will be recognized, along with 8 other Dad's and recording artist Case, at the Father's Rock convention in Baltimore. He has no clue. He is working for 1 of his cop buddies from Ft Meade who owns his own security company. But when I heard they were honoring dads who served our communities, I knew I had to nominate him! This is the man who served our Country in the Air Force and the Army National Guard. This is the man who protected our community on local, state, and federal levels (and who will be going back federal shortly.) This is the man who every day tries to turn around the lives of kids who are dabbling on the wrong side of the law, and who takes it personally when they end up back in the system (and who takes great satisfaction when they turn their lives around!) This is the man who when he sees a tractor trailer accident at 3am will sit with the driver until EMS arrives. And in our own home, he is the same, but of course more protective, over us all. I can't wait for him to find out and it will be immensely hard not to tell him in the next few days!

And I credit him with our own nomination as Foster Parents of the Year. How many other men would be so willing to raise kids not their own? He's not just a by-stander, but a full-fledged dad!
http://www.delmarvanow.com/section/LIFESTYLE

Cover contest

I'm up for any shameless opportunity to promote what great genes my son has. So, check out the link below for the Parents cover contest. I had trouble adding a couple other pics, so I added photobucket links instead. Leave a comment of just hit "like" for me please!

http://www.parents.com/photos/photo-contests-1/2010-parents-cover-contest/1943300055/?photoId=1940000143

Such a shame I couldn't add Meer too, seems a crime when he's so stinking adorable!

Thanks!

Fighting change

Why do some people fight change? Is it all about control, afraid they are going to lose it or just trying to control the current situation? Do they actually think that being nasty to people in the concept that they represent change make them better, superior in some way?

"Let's make your life miserable because I don't want to do things the way I'm supposed to, the way you do it."

Is change always good? No, but things can't improve without it. I understand some people get complacent, but being stagnant is not a LIFE option, you can't stop it, you will change, hence graying hairs and laugh lines. If you don't move forward, you will move backward. It's like a treadmill, if you don't keep up or move slightly faster, you will be pulled back. Fighting it only makes you miserable, and it seems, makes you want to be miserable to those around you.

Memory Lane Monday

It's odd looking at JJ now and trying to remember him this small.

Birthdays suck.....

Birthdays will never be the same for me. My mom told me 3 years ago that her cancer wasn't curable, but her doctor told her he would get her to a manageable level them with maintenance treatments she would live for 5-10 more years. Having a time limit was hard enough to deal with at that moment, but then a few days later she had her stroke, and a week later died. I can never look at this time of year the same.

But, while some will feel having something so devastating happen on what it supposed to be a happy day, a day of celebration, is a bad thing, that you have those memories come up each year, I don't feel it as so. It's rather been a blessing because while yes, I am having a hard time dealing, as I will for the rest of my life, all the time, having my birthday fall at this time leads me to be thankful for the life I was given by my mom, both literally and figuratively. But because I have such amazing friends who send me such wonderful greetings, I know I am blessed to still be surrounded by such great love from so many people.

So, really, this is just a big thank you to everyone who took the time this week to wish me a Happy Birthday, it really does mean a lot to me, you're all so special to me, I love you all!