From Drop Box

I was able to go to California for Mother's Day this year and spend some time with my sisters and mom. We got pedicures, went shopping, ate and ate and ate. It was so fun to spend some time with them. We are really good about getting our families together to let the kids see each other and usually try to spend the holidays together. But very rarely is it just us. It has been a long time since we have done that and all weekend I keep thinking, why do we not do this more often??? Hopefully this can become a tradition( hint hint)! I am so thankful for my family and any chance I get to hang out with them!

A family
is made of love and tears,
laughter and years.
It grows stronger
with the passing of time.
More precious
with the making of memories.

sometimes a family is made of ones
you don't like for a while.....
But you love for a life time.
It's a gift whose value is found
Not in numbers but in its capacity
to love.

It's the place you find
someone to encourage you.
believe in you.
Celebrate with you and comfort you.
A family is where your heart
feels most at home because you're
Always wanted, always welcomed,
Always needed,
Always Loved.

From 2010-05-16-2121-08

By John Doe-Associated Press- 54 mins ago
BOISE-Kennedy G Jones,2, has fallen into the hands of destruction once again. Jones has had many stints of destruction in her short years and is known for her reckless and destructive behavior. This incident marks 2 major hits in one week. Wednesday, Jones was found with A&D ointment and Vick's vapor rub covering the majority of her body, including her hair. Yesterday's incident consisted of nail polish and the cutting of high value coupons. Jones was found by a babysitter (name being withheld) with nail polish covering her left leg and on the comforter her mother had recently purchased at a well known home decor chain. Earlier that day, 20 coupons were found cut in half. There were no witnesses, but evidence has lead authorities to Jones. Coupons were purchased on eBay and were consider high value. Attempts to reach the babysitter were unanswered. Jones' mother, Tessa Jones, is currently being held at an undisclosed location for further evaluation. Friends of the family say Jones is a sweet child that is usually pleasant and happy. There has been talk of possibly incarceration for Jones for small amounts of time, but that decision will have to be made once the mother is able to return to the home.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

My 2 year old can beat your 2 year old

I've been up since 6

Ran 3 miles

Got 4 children dressed, feed and out the door

Worked 4 hours

Cole has a friend over to play with

Kennedy is in bed

It's a beautiful day outside

I think I will sit in a lawn chair and just rest..........

I hear the garage door slam? Weird, I just talked to my husband who is on Chiden Blvd, 2 of my 4 children are at school, 1 is playing in front of me, 1 is in bed. Maybe it is a neighbor that I didn't hear knock........

Oh no, it is Miss Kennedy. Who has crawled out of her

C R I B
She is missing a shirt and is looking mighty glossy. You can't tell from the picture. First I ask her what she is doing and she just looks at me. Like I am going to get a straight answer out of her, she can't even talk so an answer at all won't be happening. Yet, I ask again. I approach her and the scent of A&D ointment and Baby Vicks vapor rub is filling the air. She has rubbed it all over her tummy, arms, face, hands, pants and hair. So I am thinking to myself, how did she get this, I moved that stuff on the opposite side of the dresser so she couldn't get it.

We go upstairs in her room and I find this.

There is A&D ointment and Vicks vapor rub all over the sheets, the pillow, her blanket and crib. She has crawled out of her bed and crawled on top of the dresser and took the bin of stuff emptied it into her crib and through the bin out. So from start 1:49 p.m. to finish 2:08 pm, my sweet little 2 year has created a mess that requires a bath, a load of laundry, furniture washing and NO NAP. So to that all I can say besides crying is

MY 2 YEAR OLD CAN BEAT YOUR 2 OLD

Mothers' Day

Before I was a Mom -I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom -I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom -I had never been puked on - Pooped on - Spit on - Chewed on, or Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom -I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests...or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom -I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom -I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom -I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known The warmth, The joy, The love, The heartache, The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

Mother's Day has taken on a new meaning for me the last couple years. I started celebrating Mother's Day on the Saturday before Mother's Day Sunday. WOW!! What a difference that has made. I take the whole day to myself and do whatever and go wherever I want. My wonderful husband and children are much obliged and I truly appreciate it. This year I got to have 3 days! I went to California to be with my mom and my sisters. No children - it was blissful. I got to spend some good quality time with my mom and sisters. The drive their was great, my music, my food, my schedule. However, the drive home was quite different. I found myself being very anxious to get home to my family. I found myself thinking about all those road trips with children and how at times they were down right miserable, but I got the kids to myself for 8 - 9 hours. We have the opportunity to talk and play games and pass the time together. My thoughts were filled with my kids the entire trip home and how I am so lucky to be a mom and have this incredible life to experience and how really my life would not have a whole lot of meaning without them. I often wonder what I would do if I didn't have kids. Yes, I could sit and list all the things I could do for myself- but I assume that would get pretty boring after awhile. I feel so blessed to be able to have these children, although some of my posts say otherwise, and so very thankful that I am a mom.

I drove home a little faster than I drove away. When I did arrive home, I was greeted with loud shouts of Happy Mother's day, hand made gifts and cards and lots of decorations.

Jake,Kyle, Kate, Cole and Kennedy thanks for another FAB Mother's Day.

I love you more than you know!