The truth about this working mom.

So, I read a lot of blogs. Many of those blogs are awesome "mommy blogs" with a ton of amazing advice on raising children of all ages. My favorites, of course, and the ones ill read again & again, are the ones that are a little more truthful about the ups & downs of parenting. Usually, they have to be funny too, for me to become a dedicated (when I have time) reader. I've noticed the last year or so how awesome I am at making excuses &, while I know this needs to change, I can only read a mommy blogposts about organization or memorization of bible verses with your young children or whipping up prepared dinners every Sunday to freeze for the week or any other task that is so absolutely brilliant & wonderful that it makes me want to go crawl under a table & never come out. Or at least cry. I aspire to be a Supermom & that will never change, but selective blog-reading, at this time in my life, is necessary for my self-esteem & sanity

Maybe there are more moms like this out there? Maybe you need a pick-me-up like I have so many times needed. This could be that for you. This single photo is an honest, raw look into my life as a working mom. This is how I cope with a toddler at work when I allowed him to talk me into not making him go to school because he went to bed so late the night before because of parenting techniques that would horrify the Super Nanny. I believe this (barely) four year-old when he says this time will be different at work. He "pinky promises" he'll leave me alone to work in the office. Because I'm in such a protected & focused state of self-preservation, I see this for the brilliant use of resources that it actually is. I see the office supplies saved from complete destruction. I feel the sigh of relief he's not in the same room with me for a few minutes talking so incessantly I want to shoot myself. I see one less tantrum - actually two (his & mine)! I hear his giggling replace another episode of Backyardigans. I see bullets dodged. Maybe if you squint or stand on one leg or read the news first, you'll be able to see it too?

Cash's Report on dodge ball practice

Schizo Blogger Blogs First Day of School

I already know this so ya'll will probably just have to adjust. Not sure I liked the other page but hope this one isn't too busy. It only takes me 8 hours or so to play with it and things are still not exactly how I'd like but I feel like this one is more flexible?

School started today. Thank you, Blake & Ashley for being such angels. Thank you, Cash, for, well, today, not making it easy at all for me! You wouldn't let me use water on your hair, or brush your teeth. It took 15 minutes to dress you as you laid in bed. You ignored your sister as she tried to help. You laid on my lap like a limp noodle when I put on your shoes. You threw fits when I wouldn't carry you. You only relaxed when your brother let you play games on his phone on the way to school, proving ever so much more, how spoiled and rotten your lousy parents have allowed you to become. In all honesty, I think I really could have handle all of that but, my heart will LITERALLY give out if you scream "MOMMY!!!!!!" with the voracity, volume and sobbing only comparable to scenes from The Excorcist, every single day when I try to say good-bye (for 30 minutes). I cannot do it. Although, I'm sure, somehow, I will for as long as you choose to dramatize the morning drop-off at your sweet, little Montessori school with your sweet, little teachers and non-stop activities that you enjoy. You enjoy them so much that every afternoon, I'll pick up a happy kid. Yes, you'll be happy to see me but also reply "great!" when asked, "how was your day, sweetie?" Nevermind that I spent the night before lying awake in bed anxious about the drop-off and reeling for half my work-day after the drop-off. Really, Precious, don't worry about that.

8 months (July 3)

the beach!

the sibs!

all Daddy

big boy

Cash Hearts Ashley

Cash truly loves both of his siblings. He's completely mesmerized by the both of them. Maybe it's just that Ashley is more capable with him but his awe reaches a higher level with her. Unless he's starving, he reaches for her before me in many cases. Don't worry because I LOVE IT! They're so happy together and she is a fabulous babysitter.

Horn Family Reunion

Last weekend, Cash and I met, Aunt Traci, Sam, Alice, Ruby, Mimi and Grandpa Steve (Ruby has renamed him Peepaw!) in Brownwood and traveled to Weatherford for the Horn Family Reunion. My maternal grandmother was Wilma Horn. She had four sisters. Clara Ruth (Aunt Sister) was the oldest and died in 1978. Wilma was then the oldest to Aunt Ila, Aunt Mary and Aunt Reba. You may recall, 4 days before Cash was born, my grandmother passed away. She had never missed a reunion and I definitely was missing her this weekend! It was a great time for Mom and my Aunt J'Lyn to visit with all of their first cousins. They all were lucky enough to grow up fairly close together and it's neat to see the distance and years between their get-togethers just fall away. They all laugh easily together and share and equally appreciate their joint upbringings. As usual, I was able to get a few money shots of Cash when we were there. My sister and I stayed an extra night at Mom & Steve's after the reunion. I miss my family:)

Mom, J'Lyn and their Horn Family cousins

Bathtime with Mimi

Do you think he knows he's cute?

Love this picture! I'm not really sure why she got so upset...

This may be one of my all-time favorite pictures.

Saying our good-byes..A slimey kiss for Alice.

A slimey kiss for Sam.