Love

It's got to be THE hardest word to define... with words.

With as many "failed" relationships as I've had over the years, I've often wondered if I even know what it means.

Then I look at my children...

Christian on Career Day

...and I know I've got it figured out.

My Gabi Girl

Proud Momma

My son just melts my heart... I tell ya, I look into those big brown eyes, and I know I've already lost!

He had his Awards Day yesterday, and (of course) I teared up... I'm just so proud of the little man he's becoming!!

I was glad they were giving each child a certificate of completion for Kindergarten {no one would feel left out} - but then my boy got an additional award for Art. Love it! How fitting is that in this family?!. 

Today is my daughter's big day (Awards). Her teacher has already told me she recommends she be in the gifted program, so I'm sort of expecting she will get an award of some sort. It would break my heart is she didn't get anything... but it would also tug on the ole heartstrings if she receives more awards than her brother. Is it wrong of me to wish for her to get the same number of awards?? 

I fear this will always be a struggle for me... I want so badly for everything to be "fair" and even with them - which, no, I'm not naive enough to think life will actually work out that way. I realize it's beyond my control.

I know they both have their own strengths. It just kills me when they say things like, "I'm not smart like Gabi" - which my son told me the other day. {tug} I reminded him that he's only in Kindergarten and he's still learning - plus, Little Miss Know It All has two years of school on him.

That didn't seem to help his self-esteem much... but I don't really know what will. I hope receiving an Art Award will push him to develop his creativity (yes, I know, he's only 6).

Let me interject: I don't want to be one of "those" moms either... living through my child. Creativity and The Arts have just always been a big part of our family.

At any rate, I'm a proud momma, and I have some amazing angels in my life!

Update: The Goob got two awards, as well. {whew}

Religion & Politics : Can't Talk About That

I'm sure I'm considered Anti-American for not wanting to celebrate the death of another soul; however, it's the {generalizing here} typical American mindset that I'm against. I don't think being an American makes me superior to anyone, any more than I think being a particular color or faith does.

Yes, I'm grateful for the freedom that has been afforded me and the intention of those that lost their lives in the pursuit of that freedom. Do I condone the methods in which it was brought about, though? No.

[You] want to preach at me:  Explain to me how hatred and violence are going to end hatred and violence...?

I'm all ears and eyes.

{crickets}

"Hate begets hate; violence begets violence; toughness begets a greater toughness. We must meet the forces of hate with the power of love...Our aim must never be to defeat or humiliate..., but to win his friendship and understanding." — Martin Luther King, Jr.

I know MLKJ wasn't speaking about terrorism - at least not in the same sense - but I believe these words are applicable.

What do people presume will happen now? America has shown its power and terrorists everywhere will bow down at "our" feet? Sounds unlikely to me.

I also find it ironic that the same people who were posting "He is risen" as their status update on Easter morning are the same ones posting "YAY! he is dead" today. This way of thinking only reaffirms my aversion of and belief that religion is becoming (and/or probably has been) more and more of a "Do as I Say; Not as I Do" doctrine.

I really hope that spiritual/religious leaders will remind their congregations of their convictions this week.

♥

So I saw this postcard almost a year ago.

Bought it.

But never gave it to anyone...

I love my children and my family that much - so much that I could squish them {which, as we all know, is A LOT}. But I just bought the one. I don't have enough to give one to each of them. At the time, I suppose I wished someone had given it to me...

{sigh}

One day, maybe.

It's Raining, It's Pouring

No, really... It is. It's all thunderstorms and tornadoes outside. *eek*

I don't really have all that much to say, but I thought I'd at least make the effort to get on here and say "something" - I mean, with the following I have and all... I'd hate to let down my reader(s).

So... that being said...

I don't have much else to say.

Except:

I love my babies with all my heart! You two are my most favorite people in the whole... EVERYTHING!!

Quick & Mini

Once again I've let my blogging responsibilities slack, so I thought I'd get on here and give my millions of readers a quick n mini update on things:

1. I made it through the THREE dance classes I was to sub - not without my usual 2-day post aches and pains - but it was fun! I had "I Look Good" stuck in my head for days... (and now I do again)

2. I just booked my 2nd wedding! YAY!! I'm shooting a lovely lass I've known for many years and meeting her hubbie-to-be on the 26th for their engagement shoot. I can't wait to share what we come up with!!

3. FOTY is still being just that: Father of the Year. I don't want to devote too much energy to it, but he and his family are ri·dic·u·lous. I saw his charming sister out at Chick-fil-a, feeding HER children junk... *gasp* The kids all spoke to one another, and she avoided eye contact with me.

4. One of my only friends from the ATL just text me to tell me her beloved proposed!! Congrats, B! {I foresee travel and another wedding in my future ;) }

5. I'm getting back into my painting & crochet'ing <--- I can't type that word properly without thinking of "shitting" / I don't know. Don't ask.

6. I'm still single and lovin it. Sure, there are those moments when I long for someone to dote on me... but then I remember I'd rather the universe send Mr. Right into my life, rather than settling for Mr. Conveniently Right Now.

7. I don't really have a Seven, but it's my favorite number, and as such, should be included.