What makes it worth it?

Day got a 3.4 this semester! YIPPEEE! We took him out to dinner Monday night, report cards aren't even out yet and we are so proud of him, happy for him, we couldn't wait! I will still give him some money too because my parents did for me.

So, this means, he has the grades to get his driving permit!

Got a letter in the mail today, they finally received his birth certificate from NYC and he will be taken in a couple weeks to the MVA.

When I went in his room to tell him I made a big to-do about it, he screamed "yes, finally" and said he had to run around for this, he ran around our living room & kitchen yelling.

These are the days that I love for. To see him succeed, to share in his joy, there is nothing better!

How important are routines?

We've all heard, or at least read in parenting books, how important routines are for kids. I think my kids are more flexible than I am! Wednesday I had to go the opposite way, an extra 40 minutes in the morning and another at night, to take J to a friend's because his daycare was closed. Last night I had to take Day to classes back in Salisbury after getting off work, meaning we didn't get home until 8pm. This morning I have a meeting at 8am. I am completely spent. The kids are all fine, but me, I can't wait to get home tonight.

Wow, LATE!

This was on JJ's birthday. My little man is growing up! I'm having trouble with him being 5. It's such a big age to me. And with him starting to read, spell, add, etc - it's all the more proof that my little guy is growing up on me. The "stay little" spell didn't work! I'm so glad we have other kids in the house and the promise of more in the future because otherwise this would be SO much harder on me! Now I know why my oldest sister cried when he "baby" went to kindergarten. It's goes so quickly, that same "baby" is about to make me a great-aunt again!

Late again - Thursday Thankful

Ok, we've had tons going on with appointments and cleaning.
So - I'm thankful for my friends. The memories we share that give us laughs and strengths. Having people to turn to when I need to bounce a situation off, someone to lean on when I'm at my wits end, or just can't function. They've gotten me through some very tough times, which I'm very thankful. And the backing that we have gotten when we opened our home to foster children has been amazing, we realize we made this choice, but everyone else has opened their lives up so much too!

It's hard to express, to put into words, how special they all are to me! It won't be the same when we move away from the ones here on the Shore. Yes, we will of course visit, I could never lose these friends, but not having them around daily will be an adjustment. I haven't fooled myself into thinking I will find friends as good!

He's home with creds!

He's home, we're all happy, and he has his "creds." So, we can relax, for a little while at least! Lots of changes to come though!

Thursday Thankful - a little late

I missed this yesterday - THURSDAY THANKFUL - I'm thankful for my family, and yes, I have a LARGE one, so I have much more to be thankful for. It says a lot when even if there weren't blood ties I would want these people in my life! People scoff at the Duggars and other large families, but they just don't get what a special experience it is. Friends have gone with us to holidays or parties and come away amazed. John used to thank me after my family get togethers. It is special, hilarious, crazy, amazing, etc. I was lucky to have been born into it, and love that I'm able to "give" it to John and my boys. I love the reaction people have when they find out how large my "clan" is, because it does go through their head that they can't imagine. They don't even think about what it means in having people to share with, the good and the bad. To have so many people to lean on and back you up. There's nothing better!

Treat Yourself Tuesday

I'm about to get off the World Wide Web and start my pedi. Yes, I said "start." It's more than just slapping on some polish. I go for the whole foot softening treatment, polish will not go back on my toes until tomorrow night. I have the scrub, cleanser, moisturizing gel, etc. I don't use a pumice, fully treat my feet ahead of time and I don't get to that point. Not something I get to do often, but since I'm leaving in a few days, gotta take time now. It also gives me time to go to the store tomorrow night and get some cute brown polish for the season. Or maybe if I can find the pale gold I saw in a catalog earlier this week, that would look cute with my tat.

Spoke at DSS

This past week I spoke again at a DSS meeting for prospective foster parents. It was a great experience for me because another foster mom was there with her 2 kids and she had been at the last meeting I spoke at. She told me how she used things I said in her own life with the kids, which was great to hear, like I made even a little bit of a difference.

But, one thing that got me was a woman assumed JJ was a foster child and she said she had hoped he was open for adoption. Yes, he's a cutie, I'll admit it, but it was a sad moment to me. It's bad enough people in the community assume the kids are all mine biologically, or all not. But when someone who has biological children of their own make a broad based assumption, makes me wonder their own motives.

And hey, it struck me because we Johnsons all think he looks like us ;)

Time flies

11 years ago I was putting on a blue & black dress after doing Jessica's hair, never guessing how my life was about to change. I was looking forward to a night dancing and drinking with sorority sisters, not thinking of "meeting" my husband. John jokes that I was finally drunk enough to care, but maybe that is what it took, 2 years after he first asked me out and we kept running into each other, for me to see that something was planned for us. The days have flown by, we've had ups and downs, and he's held my hand through the toughest moments of my life, as well as the most fulfilling times.

Whatever happened that night to have me write my number down on a napkin in lip liner, it was a night I'd never change!

Thursday Thankful #1

It's that time again, and I'm sure I will end up repeating myself from last year because my life is blessed and constant.

To start off:
I'm thankful for my husband. I really found a great guy that rarely gets on my nerves ;) He self-admittedly spoils me, saying he can rarely say no to me. After being spoiled growing up in many ways, not just material things, I would be lost without him now. Feeling so important in someone else's world is something everyone should have. He continually betters himself, for the family and himself.

And the poor guy, I can't even give him a compliment without him thinking I had a really good day or want something. Guess I need to make sure he knows more often how much he is loved and appreciated!

Just this....

I love my family, that's all. The time I spend with them is precious to me. I hope they know it and I hope I can pass it on to my kids!

So, my "Treat Yourself Tuesday" is just allowing the time to think of how thankful I am. I did get an order of funnel cake sticks at lunch today though ;)

Oh, and this about sums up how I feel about my 'Boys this season. Can we bring back Aikman and Emmit?

When "HAHA" turns into "Ah-Ha"

A neighbor has been on hard times lately. Leaving his verbally abusive wife but then getting laid off from a job that made him come back to work almost immediately after a major heart attack, forced to live on the property with her, etc. I've tried to be here for him to talk to, borrow money, give an odd job here and there, whatever.

So, he calls me tonight to tell me something going good and asks to borrow some money. He comes over and we are talking on the front porch and he tells me how he thinks if he had a child around he feels it would calm things down for him. I laughed, told him it's not like a pet, which is reported to lower your blood pressure just by petting it. I told him the 3 kids wind me up, not calm me down.

Had to laugh, but at the same time I feel bad for him. He is missing out, and unfortunately he knows first hand, being estranged from an older son and losing a baby, he knows.

Sometimes I think things happen for a reason. I rarely have money on me, but because JJ's daycare wouldn't take the extra $ I give her for being late, I had the cash on me. I think I needed the lesson, to literally look in my front door at the boys, to appreciate what they bring to my life, and be thankful, for I am blessed.

What's Your Beef Wednesday

The only thing that really got my goat this week was watching a mom, who while holding her wheezing child smoked a cigarette.

Yes, I smoke, but not when the kids are outside with me or in the vehicle. I go outside and to a side of the house where no windows would be open. Smoking is my choice, albeit a bad one, but it's not theirs.

Treat Yourself Tuesday

I saw this somewhere and figured you can't lose doing something for yourself, no matter how small, to make yourself feel better. Face it, we think of the small things for our SOs and kids, sometimes you need to do the same for yourself.

Ice cream for lunch, a latte for breakfast, 30 minutes to watch a fav show, deep moisturizing your tootsies then going around in socks, mani or pedi, 10 minutes carved away to do your fav hobby, etc. The little things add up, even for ourselves.

So, I did little online shopping tonight. I admit I had already picked out what I wanted in the catalog, but I got this for John's graduation:
http://www.bodyc.com/products/paisley-print-kimono-sleeve-dress/?F_All=Y
Now, just to find some over the knee boots, but I'll shop in GA or FL for those. I also got this shirt so we can go out, our 1st adult-free weekend in 5 years:
http://www.bodyc.com/products/ruched-autumn-print-sublimation-top/?F_All=Y

Also while at the store and picking up milk and baby food I got a tub of berry sherbet and a trash magazine. I'll moisturize my hands and wear some gloves in a few after trimming my too long nails.

I admit I got a jump on things, last night after Meer fell asleep I did a paper scap page. Really relaxing before bed!

Meer's 11th Month

This is a quickpage, I take absolutely NO credit for it other than throwing Meer's photos in it from Last month. But I still had to share. I wish I had more time to do more original digital and paper pages. I plan on doing some today, fingers crossed for me!