Summer Lovin...

I love summer. Lazy days of summer. I find that funny though, the expression, "Lazy days of summer." Summers usually are hectic and packed full of activities, vacations and hopefully an incredible amount of time in the great outdoors. The other day I heard a woman exclaim she was ready for school to start. Already?! Her kids were driving her crazy. I know I talk so pleasantly about my kids on my blog, because they are GREAT kids. But they are kids. Ornery, like to misbehave and push my buttons, normal kids. But I DREAD school starting. I always go into a semi-depression when my kids go back. Because life moves faster during the school year. Summer does seem, no matter how busy, to move slower. I love that about the season. Kids grow up so fast, freeze frame this moment, take it all in. Don't wish for the day your children won't be home, that time will come soon enough. You will look back at these days and hurt for the times your children were this age. Right now. So love the not so fragrant scent of Deep Woods Off. Cherish the bickering in the back seat as you drive to your vacation destination. Memorize the giggle as your little one catches lightening bugs. Laugh when your child asks you for the 28,000th time , "Are we there yet?" Throw that swimsuit on your overweight body and don't worry about who's looking. Do a belly buster just to show your child you still can.


I love summer. It's a miraculous season where so many memories can accumulate in such a short time. Kind of like childhood.

Childhood is a short season.

~Helen Hayes

Good Morning Beautiful...

What do you see when you look in the mirror? Are you confident in yourself? Do you see what others see? Or do you only see your flaws? Do you worry too much about those flaws or are you accepting of yourself?

I have loved ones that I wish could see themselves like I do. Why do we, as people, only concentrate on what isn't perfect about ourselves? Oh, friends-I'm as guilty as the next one. I have to work on not being so critical on myself. I have gone through life listening to negativity and then confronting myself in the mirror and believing it was true. That was who I was- then accepting it. Not seeing transparent through myself to what was good and true.

Sometimes, I feel as though we put ourselves in front of a circus mirror. Walking up confronting ourselves in the mirror, then seeing ourselves completely in a different way that others do. God wants us to see ourselves in the image He made us in. That is what I wish for you. I want you to see yourself as I do. So giving, unselfish, sweet, sensitive, loving, helpful, so very funny, silly, protective, nurturing, your faith and love for God, your children...but where is that love for yourself? It's almost like the work of a hypnotist. Outside influences can put you in a trance. Make you think your something your not.

Now wake up. As the sun rises every day, you are one of the first things on my mind. YOU are special. Rare and true. Go look in the mirror, see what I see. Flawless. Perfect. Love.

Sunday Morning

I heart Sundays. I really do. Although I always feel extremely tired on Sundays. It's like the hectic-ness of the week all catches up with me on Sunday. I took my children to church this morning. I had felt bad because it had been a while since I went. It felt so good to go. I loved looking from side to side with my son on one side of me and my daughter on the other and seeing them at prayer time in church. My little girl with special needs knows when it is time to bow her head in prayer. It's touching to see her with her eyes squinted so tight and her hands folded for perfect prayer. These past two years have been tough. But I look around and am so amazed-I have survived, with very little mental scars. But I had a great cushion during my fall. God. He has helped pick me back up and keep me there. Did I mention I love seeing my children in church? There is something satisfying about a child in church. It makes you feel like you are guiding them, trying to steer them on the right path. This isn't a religious lecture, this is a personal belief. I think kids do better and families stay together more when they have an extra member in the family, as top priority. That extra person is God. I have said so many times before how I am a work in progress. Without God in my life, I can't imagine keeping hope alive. I can't imagine seeing the reason behind the bad, and learning from it. I wonder if would be thankful for all I do have. I can't imagine when I am feeling down, not having the ability to look up. But I'm a believer. I hope to instill that faith in my children for a lifetime. Everyone needs a soft place to fall. God is mine. But it isn't only when I'm down, but up, strong, weak, sick, happy, sad. He is my rock.

Thank you God for Sunday morning. Ready to enjoy the day with love in my life, peace in my heart and thankful for the blessings in my life....

Happy Anniversary

Wasn't it yesterday I was a Bride's Maid in your wedding? Wasn't it just yesterday I admired you in your wedding gown as you started down the isle in the church, anxiously. I watched as you looked adoringly at the awaiting groom. You looked so beautiful in your wedding dress. I imagined us growing up, how you had changed so much over the years. The sister I always had looked up to. The sister who I would announce proudly that I was the younger sister to you. The sister who I would follow like a pest, so I could one day hopefully grow up to be like you. You showed me how to do my hair and make up, and the day you got married I hoped I could be as beautiful bride as you, one day...Wasn't it just yesterday I cried as my big sister pulled away from the church with her new husband, and I realized that I hadn't lost my sister, but had gained a brother, by law and by heart. Wasn't it just yesterday when you said I do, and you have and will, holding and standing by the vows you recited in the church in front of God, your family and your friends. God bless you on your Anniversary. Yesterday, today and tomorrow. Always and forever.

Blue Skies Smiling on Me....

Isn't this reprieve from the rain wonderful? I spent the evening with my children in the backyard yesterday. Perfect temp, slight breeze, birds chirping, wind chime slightly chiming, kids giggling; you get the idea. It was relaxing. I sat my lazy butt on the ground and started pulling at weeds as I watched the kids play. I feel so productive with every weed I pull. I love it when the ground is so soft the weeds pull easily and you get the root. No fuss, no effort, and the evil greenery is gone. Did I mention I feel productive when I pull weeds?

Life has been going great for me. In my world there are no clouds, the sun is shining and there is a perfect breeze. Flowers are blooming and all is right with the world. I love times in my life like this. Like everything is going my way. I know there will be weeds pop up here and there, but I will fight against them as needed. Life is a garden. Dig it?

For ME?!

Pinch me. Hard. OK, I know I'm not dreaming, but I am so excited I have to brag. Plus it's my blog and I can brag if I want to! I am such a lucky girl. I was celebrating my 25th birthday (for the 10th time) and the awesome, sweet, thoughtful and listens to me man in my life surprised with a certificate from Amber at the Shabbee Chick for a blog makeover. She has been such an inspiration to me. She is the reason I very first started a blog. She actually encouraged me to start one. Me, being my oh-so non-technical self, thought I couldn't do it. It's become such a therapy to me. The days I don't post I think about posting and fantasize about carving out time in my very busy single-mom life. But when I do it's like sitting down in a hot bubble bath after a long day. It's an AAAAHHHHH feeling. I love it, and it is slowly becoming my baby.

So babies got a new pair of shoes! Plus a new dress and earrings! She is all dressed up and looking oh-so professional and beautiful thanks to my good blogging friend, Amber. She is so amazing! She was so great to work with. She listened to what I told her I liked and came up with this beautiful design. It is so shabby and it's so ME! Go check out her design website! It's called The Shabbee Chick Designs. Check out her portfolio, she is so talented!


So, this man of mine, where do I begin? Just listen. Listen to me (he likes it when I say that :) This man reads my blog. He calls it Gina's Chicken Soup for the Soul. He loves checking into it and reading my new posts. I never even asked him for this makeover, he is just tuned into me so much. I've never met another man so thoughtful. Did I mention he READS my blog? :) He encourages my writings. He has become such a great friend. Like I told him, a best friend. So, Mister, thank you for being there for me. Not for this gift, but the gift of becoming an amazing friend. Listening to me, spending time with me, accepting me for who I am and all my extras that come along with me. You are a blessing. Like I told you, YOU are my birthday present.

Thank you for making this birthday girl so happy...

Happy Mother's Day

When I think of my mom, I think of the sights and smells, textures I remember as a little girl. I remember sitting in my favorite tree on a hot summer day and watching anxiously for her car to cross the bridge and slow to pull in the long, winding driveway. I remember hurrying down the tree and darting to her car to give her a hug. I remember the feel of her not so soft business suit blazer and the smell of her Chanel No. 5. I remember playing with her pearl necklace as I talked to her and asked her what was for dinner. I remember the kiss and hug she would give me before she would, without complaint, start cooking a nice sit down meal for the family to enjoy-after a long hard day at the office. I remember after her bath in the evenings, the sight of her pink bathrobe, the smell of dove soap in the air and how her coming to sit with me as we watched TV before bed, how it was a way to relax me enough I could go to bed with the smell of my mama on me. I loved that. Every mom has their own special smell. My mom's is a distinct one. She somehow always has a way of smelling like roses, I love that about her.

I remember holding her hand on the way to school. I remember the silly names she has always called me. I remember how my heart ached when she was away. I remember crying on her shoulder. I remember the feel of her soft hands stroking my hair as I did, the calming effect she had on me.

I also remember the guidance she gave me. Preparing me for the future. Not too strict, not too lax, but always with love, care, patience and guidance. She kept me on the right path, by example first and foremost. That has taught me so much. She was the example and the rule. She practiced what she preached and lived it every day. She knew I was watching, absorbing her and her ways with my loving and adoring eyes. I studied her for reasons I do now, because when I grow up, I want to be just like her.

Backspace Delete...

Do you ever wish life came with backspace delete buttons? Friends, I do. I am a person that automatically reacts. I will speak without thinking. I know that honestly is the best policy, but sometimes that policy needs tweaking. I not only need a backspace delete button, I need a processor. To process the information given, then sort it out, think it out and then print out my response. I think that is why I love writing so much. I can get out my thoughts and feelings and when I make an error on what I write I can change it. When you are communicating with someone it's as you speak. Once the words fall out of your mouth they are out there. For that person listening to run them through their processor and then it is all on their perception on what you just said or did. It's tough sometimes to find the words to make someone understand what you are feeling or thinking at that moment. With writing, you have all the words at your fingertips.

Recently I reacted in a way with someone I consider a best friend. I didn't give that said person a chance to explain. I processed it immediately and gave a response. This would have been a perfect time to have a backspace delete button.

As I get older I am working on my reaction time. I try to think it out, process slower and respond with thought and careful consideration. I am a person that is very sensitive and wear my heart on my sleeve. I am defensive, sometimes weak and have to work at not putting walls up. But at least I see this about myself. I am a work in progress. If I didn't work on it I wouldn't have anyone of value in my life. I would be a hermit within my own self and not let anyone in.

I am a person who has a short attention span combined with ditziness is not a good thing. So do a coupla my closest girl friends. One in particular girlie friend I recently picked up for lunch. As she jumped in the car I could tell she had a lot to tell me. She looked exhausted and like she could break down at any moment. I saw her and immediately asked her what was wrong and to tell me all about it. Broke down she did, on the way to the restaurant she vocalized through tears what was heavy on her heart. Being her sweet but oh-so distracted easily self she continues to whimper and try to speak, it was like a button was pushed. She stopped crying and said, "Wow, look at that pretty tree!" Then an at awe smile crept across her face until we had the tree no longer in view. The tears immediately broke free yet again and she remembered what she was so upset to begin with. .

I guess in life we are a constant work in progress. I always say I need a construction sign around my neck because God is constantly working on me. One thing I can do is admit my faults and try to change them. That's a hard thing to do. Sometimes it takes me awhile but eventually the truth can be seen clearly, if you let yourself see.

Oh, look! A fluffy dog!

Now, what was I saying?