To The Birthday Boy

My dear "little man",

Oh sure, I know you're not so little anymore.  And you're probably mortified that I would referred to you that way in a public place.  It's been a couple of years that I have had to look up at your face now.  But in my heart you'll always be my "little man" - no matter what size or age you are.

This mama's heart finds it so difficult to believe that you are 16 years old today.  The years have flown by so quickly. There are times I ache for the days when you were that silly, sweet, blond little boy with the cheeks who used to crawl up to sit in my lap. I wish I had taken the time to hold you just a few minutes longer while you were still small enough for that.

But as much as I miss those days, I wouldn't trade these days for anything.  I know we often seem to butt heads and argue about things that will seem so trivial in days (hours?) to come.  I remind myself that this is not unusual.  You're spreading your wings and trying to take those steps towards independence and manhood.  And I am so very proud of the young man you are becoming.  Even if I do still try to hold on - maybe a little too tightly.

You are still silly.  Stay that way.  And you are still sweet.  Don't ever lose that inner kindness.  Be strong.  Be courageous. Be unique.  Believe in yourself. God has created you for something special and I know that He will have you do great things for Him.

And always know - just like you will always be my "little man", I will always be your mommy.  I will always be here if and when you need me.  And I will always love you.

Happy Birthday. 

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

15 Years Ago Today...

15 years ago today I gave birth to a beautiful little baby boy. Today that boy is taller than I am; but in my heart he is still my "little boy".  I wrote this post last year for his birthday, but it's still as relevant today as it was a year ago. Happy Birthday to my Little Man!!

Back When You Were Little

Back when you were little - I used to take afternoon naps with you; your soft head under my chin.

Now - You don't take naps, and you stay up later than I can keep my eyes open.



Back when you were little - You had the cutest chubby little legs, complete with little Michelin man rolls on the thighs.

Now- You are taller than I am.



Back when you were little - People used to comment on your adorable little cheeks

Now - Those cheeks are showing the first fuzz of facial hair.



Back when you were little - You used to come running to show me every little treasure you found and share every part of your adventures.

Now - You are the king of one syllable answers and grunts.




Back when you were little - You used to like my singing and would sing along with me.

Now - You roll your eyes when I sing in the car and beg me to "Please stop"



Back when you were little - You used to plead with me to rub your back while we watched TV or read a book

Now - Ok, maybe some things still haven't changed.






Back when you were little - You were my sweet little boy. The cause of my first gray hairs. The tiny little male child I loved with all my heart.

Now - You're not so little anymore. You're growing more and more independent. But you still cause me new gray hairs. And I still love you just as much as I did back when you were little.

This Week I Will

I forget.  After a summer with little written on the calendar, once school starts the little squares begin to quickly fill.  School events, guitar lessons, softball games, bible studies.  Things are gearing back up and life is getting busier.

To Do List for September 10 - 15:

• Do some organizing in craft area!  (no, for really reals this time!)
• Work on items for Queen B's Busy Work
• Finish and return overdue library book
• Do some more purging in bedroom
• Freezer cooking of gumbo and chili
• Attend Little Man's open house
• Attend Man of the House's first softball game of the season
• Walk at least 2 days
• Write
• Start working on first Christmas present

Moments In Time: July 8 - 14

The Little Man cutting shoe pieces for SoleHope

Filling orders for Queen B's Busy Work



Where I like to spend my mornings



The grandbaby likes to watch ESPN SportsCenter...



And taking naps with the Oscar dog!

OOPS!  I missed taking a picture on the 13th!!

Girly Bow Flip Flops for Queen B's Busy Work!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/QueenBsBusyWork

I'm A Bad Mother

I don't like the Little Man very much today. 

There I said it. 

He's surly and irritable.

He talks back.  When he talks.  Often I'm lucky to get a groan or a growl out of him.  Sometimes it's just a scowl.

He leaves a mess behind him where ever he goes.  I suppose it's because the mess has gotten too big for his room to contain it any longer.

I'm trying very hard to stay calm and composed.  It's getting more and more difficult. 

That's right - I'm a Bad Mother.

Call the social workers. Order up some future therapy sessions for him. He drew a bad lot and is stuck with the mom who openly admits that he's not her favorite person today.


I can already imagine all the parenting tips and advice that a post like this could produce as feedback.  Save it.  I've read the parenting books too.  That's not really what I need to hear right now.

Look down your nose at me and shake your head. Judge me. Whatever. 

Right now I feel like a miserable failure as a parent on my own.  You can either feed that feeling of doubt and frustration, or  you can be kind and gentle with me.  If you've been a parent for any significant length of time and you are completely honest with yourself - I'm willing to bet that you've had days when you feel like a bad parent too.  When you were at your wit's end and didn't know what to do.  When you (gasp!) didn't like that offspring of yours very much at the moment.  Would you want to be judged at that time?   I didn't think so.

Don't get me wrong. I love the kid. I DO!   That's not going to change.  I just really don't like the way he is acting or his attitude right now.


Tomorrow (or maybe even later today), he'll be back to his smiling, funny self.  He may want to sit next to me on the couch and ask me to scratch his back.  Everything will be back to normal.

But right now, I'm sending him to his room to do some cleaning.  He'll probably pout and mutter something under his breath.  He'll stomp off with grumbles of how "it's not fair". 

Me?  I'm going to put on my Bad Mommy Crown.  I've earned it.

Musical Interlude

There is something very joyful about sitting in a tiny, uncomfortable school auditorium and watching young people learning to play and developing an appreciation for music. 

I am not personally musically inclined.  I don't play any instrument.  I can't carry a tune in a bucket.  That's not to say that I don't enjoy music.  I do.  A lot.  I enjoy listening to music.  I also enjoy singing along.  Often.  Loud.  And badly.  Which is why I find it fascinating to hear my own children play their respective musical instruments. 

Last night was the Little Man's last orchestra concert as a middle schooler. And his first with the high school orchestra.


First the 8th Grade Orchestra played a couple of pieces.

Variations on a well-known Sea Chantey - Stephan

Then after the high school orchestra played a couple of songs, the 8th grade joined them for their first concert pieces with the high school orchestra!

Ancient Ritual - DelBorgo

Back When You Were Little

Back when you were little - I used to take afternoon naps with you; your soft head under my chin.


Now - You don't take naps, and you stay up later than I can keep my eyes open.



Back when you were little - You had the cutest chubby little legs, complete with little Michelin man rolls on the thighs.

Now- You are taller than I am.



Back when you were little - People used to comment on your adorable little cheeks

Now - Those cheeks are showing the first fuzz of facial hair.



Back when you were little - You used to come running to show me every little treasure you found and share every part of your adventures.

Now - You are the king of one syllable answers and grunts.



Back when you were little - You used to like my singing and would sing along with me.

Now - You roll your eyes when I sing in the car and beg me to "Please stop"



Back when you were little - You used to plead with me to rub your back while we watched TV or read a book

Now - Ok, maybe some things still haven't changed.



Back when you were little - You were my sweet little boy. The cause of my first gray hairs. The tiny little male child I loved with all my heart.

Now - You're not so little anymore. You're growing more and more independent. But you still cause me new gray hairs. And I still love you just as much as I did back when you were little.

Happy 14th Birthday Little Man!!

With Actions and Truth

I'm cross-posting between my other blog and here because I am just too tired to think creatively enough to come up with two separate posts today.  I apologize for rmy laziness...

Today The Man of the House, The Little Man, and myself went with our small group from church to work on a service project. Our church sponsers days like this a few times a year, (known as "Love Loud" projects) for members to go out into the community and be of service to others.


We each did various chores including weeding and weed eating, hauled garbage, assembled a grill, spread some mulch, power washing, and assorted repair work.

It was a great experience. And exhausting.

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth ~ 1 John 3:18

Creativity and Cupcakes

As you read this, there is a trip to the grocery store in my very very near future.

For baking supplies.

Because for whatever reason, the Princess and I are in a creative mood today. 

Perhaps it's the sun shining, the breeze blowing the warm wind through the open windows, the sound of the birds chirping, and the sense of spring in the air that has our creative spirits soaring.  Maybe it's that we have watched one too many episodes of Cupcake Wars or Cake Boss recently.  Maybe it's hormones.  Maybe it's a driving need to use up some of the almost 5 dozen eggs sitting in the fridge; complements of The Girls.  Whatever the reason, we have been talking cupcakes all morning and are now ready to get down to baking.

The timing is perfect.  The Man of the House and the Little Man have "man plans" this evening.  (A navy seal-shoot 'em up- testosteroney movie they have been wanting to see)  .  And we have company coming into town this weekend to sample the goods and assure they all get eaten. 

So, we give in to the urge.  We make our plans.   We make our list.  And - we wait for the Little Guy to finish eating so we can go to the store.

Raising Payne

My kids are crazy.  I know where they get it from, and they come by it honestly.  Look where they came from.  Could they turn out any other way? 

They are also amazing.  They make me laugh.  Frustrate me.  Make me want to pull my hair out.  Fill me with pride.  They make every single day an adventure.  I never know what to expect from either one of them.

The Princess is smart.  She is funny.  She is beautiful.  She has gorgeous blue-gray eyes.  And she is so full of potential.  I see this incredible young woman and I think what an honor it has been to see her grow from the little baby girl from so many years ago. 

The Little Man is silly.  He's hilarious.  His mind can catch onto a concept like a steel trap.  Or zip from thought to thought with the speed of light.  And he is growing up so fast it makes my head spin.  I can only imagine the things life has ahead for him.

I feel so lucky to be mother to these two remarkable people!  Two blessings that have brought so much joy into my life.