Motherhood

Motherhood is definitely better than I ever thought it would be. I had an idea about it just from friends and family members, working with kids for 7 years before getting married myself and really thinking about it. My husband (then boyfriend) was collecting Disney movies for our future children before we'd even gotten engaged, I thought about the top layer of motherhood and the fun stuff. Fantasies of playing in the backyard, going for walks with my kids on my back or up on my husbands shoulders.  I didn't have one clue how much love I would be filled with. How much joy it would bring into my life. How utterly blessed I would feel and how grateful I would be to have my little boy. He is the love of our lives! What an joy it is to watch him grow and learn, see him figuring things out in his mind, hear him speak new words! Just yesterday he was born, and today he is a toddler! Amazing.....    

A Visit With My Mom

My beautiful Mom has come for a visit, and we have been having an awesome time!! It's been going by so fast and we really haven't done too much stuff, mostly sticking close to home as a result of this vicious heat. But we've had a wonderful time together. I am so happy that she was able to come up before she started the school year. She is a teacher and they start school very realy here in the South for some reason. Maybe it's everywhere, I don't know. But all I remember is when I was a litle kid, school started in September and ended in June. Not so much 'round here. Ends in June and starts mid August. So unfair to those kids, but especially the teachers! What a crappy short summer break if you ask me! But, at least it's a break. Andshe was able to come here and hang with us so that's what counts!


We may go to Birmingham on Friday, I am very excited about that. There is so much history there, and so much to see and do. I worry about the heat though, but you know what? I'm gettin' pretty tired of missing out on the outdoors and doing fun stuff because of it being so hot, so unless it is dangerous for us, and especially my little boy, we'll get on out there and have some fun, and stay in doors as much as we can.

I want to tell the world how much I love my Mom. I appreciate her so much, and especially now that I am a Mom myself. I see her as a friend too, and I always have, but it is so much more now, and I'm so grateful for ou rrelationship, and the understanding and appreciation I have now for her, and for all she's done for me as my Mother. Thanks Mommy, for everything! I love you so much!

Nuttin' But Strinz- Incredible music from two incedible young men....

I've just discovered an AWESOME music group that I wanted to share- Nuttin' But Stringz- these guys are phenomenal! Two young men from the projects who both learned to play the violin and incorporated it into a way of getting out of a life that easily could have enveloped and eventally landed them in jail, or killed them. They a sweet blend of classical, hip hop, and rock that is just so rad, I love it! They give a lot back to the community as well, helping specifically young children- I can't stop listening to them! I wanted to spread the word about them because they deserve it, and have earned he recognition they receive..... Hope you all like them as well! :)

http://www.nuttinbutstringz.com/

Fireflies

(photo by Bruce Nichols, 2004)

I was sitting here looking out my window thinking about how much I miss seeing fireflies in my backyard. It feels like forever since I saw any here, let alone out under the trees back home. I remember sitting with my Dad on top of the picnic table he made, just looking at the stars and watching the flies light up. He would point out the constellation and quiz me. He would know them with his eyes shut. I'm excited that the jasmine is blooming here, and that I can smell it at night. I look forward now to the magnolia trees! Shouldn't be too long now before they bloom as well, and we have several around my house. As much as I am ready to find out where we are going, I really do love it here in the south, and will miss the feeling of this place very much.

Now, off to be a cliche and make ome fresh squeesed lemonade and go sit on my swing. Babe's taking his nap. Maybe I'll take one too.

Joy

I had a little time this afternoon when my husband came home from work for me to go run into town for a quick errand ....man. Let me tell you how awesome it was to be driving along, on a perfect sunny evening with all the windows down and the sunroof open, Benny Goodman playing away on my stereo, and the wind blowing through my hair. If I could have closed my eyes (and not gone to jail for reckless driving) :), could just see myself in my future-- in a GORGEOUS 1950's shiny Ford Pickup truck, I've got bluegrass and Big Band swing music just playin' on a loop, and my left arm hanging out the drivers side window- just to feel the wind on my skin.

Sigh.... One day, my friends. ONE DAY I will have that truck, I know it'll be expensive but it will be so worth it to me. I wanna wake up every morning an look outside at my driveway and see that little baby shining in the sun, maybe parked under some spanish moss hanging over the gravel, Webster sitting in the bed, wagging his tail and barking for me to come on and let's go for a ride! This is my dream, people! And if WILL come true.

....Or a Morgan. This, I may never have. But hey, a gal can dream, right?

Shrimp Boil

Oh my goodness, did we have a meal and a half tonight! My husband got a hankerin' for some seafood and so we went and got all that we could from the commisary and bought a big 'ol pot and did a lo' country boil. So awesome!!

Finally Rain....

After several days of over 100 degree weather here, we finally had a mini-storm here, and oh, was it glorious! Thunder and lightning and wind.... it was awesome! I wish it has lasted longer, cool things off a bit more, but I am grateful for what we get. It has been too miserably hot to go outside lately- I honestly don't know how people have sone it here since there was an Alabama! It is awfuly humid and feels like you just stepped out of your shower! But I won't complain, I still love it here. Though we are moving soon, I know I will miss it. We'll still be in the beautiful south, just not soooo south. Oh, I think I hear more thunder.... gonna go check.