Winds of Change

Gloomy foggy morning outside echos my mood in many ways as of late. I have been in a depressive funk lately. To look at me, I might not show it. Inside I am screaming.  I have a wonderful group of friends, two terrific children, and my immediate family is amazing. But in my heart I can't help but feel there is something missing. With in the past 30 days my grandma has passed away. At this point we are financially struggling to make it through this Christmas. Things seem to keep piling up. My rear seat belt in my car decided to just stop working I suppose the retractor on it needs to be replaced. R's car is doing some funky things. Besides as wonderful as my kids can be especially on an individual basis, together they can be a living nightmare. Trust me there is a sibling rivalry there that can not be matched at times. My Son can be a handful in a half with outbursts of anger, talking back, and fidgety beyond anything.  This past weekend was a roller coaster of emotions. Friday night Jim came by with wings and we watched Howard the Duck all seemed well. Saturday morning however, I could not bring myself to stop tears from falling. I just felt as if the weight of the entire world was rested on my shoulders and I was powerless to stop it. I just want to have a good life and be comfortable in day to day living. I never wanted nor cared if I had tons of money. I just wish to find happiness in a world where so much bad happens on a daily basis. Perhaps sometime in the future it will happen and I just have to remain hopeful.  Personally I want to reach goals for this upcoming new year. I want to lose weight and become a much healthier me. Learn how to become a better person, Not that I am not good now. Just that I want to learn to control my brutal honesty and anger I feel at times. Just to place myself in a more peaceful frame of mind. I want to get a good chunk of the novel I am working on complete so I feel as if I have done something worth whiled. I am going to keep my fingers crossed in hopes that the year to come will finally be the year of change.

Thanksgiving Blues

This year was an emotional one, not due to family arguments or the typical stuff that makes many holiday dinners go awry.  The evening before we where about to go to my parents home for the weekend, my son woke up at about 25 mins after falling asleep and began vomiting. It seems like he must of been plague by the same virus that got his sister the week previously. First thoughts OMG this can't be happening. So I went to bed not knowing if we all would be heading down to the shore for the weekend. Turns out that he stopped at 4:39 in the morning so we all got in the car heading to my parents. About an hour into the car ride my phone rang, it was my father. He called wanting to know if we were all on our way and to pass along the information that my grandmother passed away this morning at around 6. Personally he should of waited until we arrived to let me know. Driving and crying is not a good combo. I pulled into the nearest rest stop to pull myself together to continue toward my family.  I got there and told the kids to give their grandma lots of extra hugs and kisses cause she would need them. Which they were full of tons of love as always and any time my mother began to tear, the both of them gladly went running to her side. The day was filled with great food my mother out did herself this year on the dinner.  How on earth she did this while hurting all at the same time is baffling to me. I swear my mother has always been wonder woman.  After dinner my mother and father began to pack, then had to leave the next morning to go to the funeral home to finalize all arrangements. We all decided to stay until Saturday so we could spend time with my brother, his girlfriend and two of her children.

 On Friday we had a wonderful day we all had lunch together, afterwards headed over to Castle Park.

The kids all got along with each other very well and Admanda I really like her a lot and think she is fantastic for my brother. Besides seeing him ultra happy again is a massive bonus. I will always look at my brother as one of my best friends. Once we came home we had Lasagna for dinner which my mother prepare a few days prior and then they left to head back home.  I had a fantastic time. We came back to our house Saturday morning.

(Beautiful perfect sunset that occurred the night before heading home) 

Any ways I now have to live with a huge regret.  My grandmother has been wanting us to come up for awhile so she could see her great grandkids and I never got the chance to go. Either money or various things prevented me from heading up to see her. She live approx. 3 hours away.  Now it is to late and inside I feel like crap because of it. I am making a vow to never allow anything from this point foreword prevent me from seeing the ones I love because you never know in life when that last chance might happen. This is something I now need to learn to live with.  I am not a religious person by any means but I hope she finds comfort and peace now and perhaps a chance to be with my grandfather again. She was never the same after he passed away and it is a beautiful thought of them being together. 

my grandpa, a much younger me, and my grandma!

I love you and miss you both!

Removing weeds and writing blogs

Well I was born and raised in New Jersey. I moved to PA in 2004 So I have been here for 7 years now. People in Jersey are definitely a different bred of human existence. People there are definitely more brash and arrogant. They have very little patience for bull shit and try to make points in the most direct route possible. Most people from there also have built in BS detectors. Trust me I am one of those. Then I moved here at first disliking everything about it. Just wanted to be back home on the shore. Over time the area has grown on me immensely and I adore where I have taken roots. The people on the other hand are taken me a much longer time to accept. Their is an awful lot of shady weirdos around here. It is also a very conservative place and I am as far left as they come. Any who since I have been here I have meet an interesting cast of characters from the neighborhood drama queen and scandalmonger to the ultra religious weirdo that peeked into our window looking for who knows what.  Some of the people here are stranger than anything you have seen on reality TV. I will not get into further information about these people. Personally I just do not have a need to lower myself to their standards. I will just gladly stand back and watch as karma finally creep up on to these people especially the one.  I am all about meeting new people and making new friends. I just do not have time to deal with drama anymore. So I decided this weekend to make a pledge to cut anyone out of my life that is a source for draining my from positive energy. I must learn to always walk into the light and cast my shadows behind me.

So this brings me to where I am now! Back to writing this blog :o)  I have a wide variety of friends, likes and interests, many different opinions/thoughts on the world around me including religion and politics. Some blogs may be controversial others may just be about my kids and all the happy moments life has to offer. I am just very passionate about many different things and knew I just could not stick with one topic to write about. It all just depends what is going on that day. If you are curious about who I am just visit the about me section :o)  Now back to my regularly schedule blogging :o) 

Halloween Awesomeness

Halloween Awesomeness

Friday Our friends Dan, Tina, Devon and my Brother came up from Jersey and we headed to downtown West Chester to have dinner at Kildare's which was fantastic. Afterwards we all headed over to the Bates Motel Haunted House / Hayride. My children were completely adorable. J who is 6 was loving every minute of it. Putting her hands in the air and rocking out and giving hi-fives to every ghoul, ghost or zombie that attempted to scare her. They would jump out and go RAWR she would smile turn around and say HI FIVE so they did. It was wonderful and way to adorable for words. I thought T might of been a bit scared, even though he is older he gets creeped out much quicker than she, but he wasn't either. He was a very brave boy.  I was proud of both of them for being so fantastic.  

Saturday morning we all had breakfast, afterwards Toniann, Bryan, and Jessica showed up and I drove Toniann and Bryan out to show them around the West Chester Area. They both as well as my brother are thinking of moving out here. OMG that would be so awesome. My bro will forever be one of my best friends ever and I would love to have him live closer.  Came back to the house R took J over to her Halloween Party over at her friends house from school while the rest of us began to assemble costumes and what not. Our halloween event began at 4. Lots of awesome people here at that time all but 4 Mike and his girlfriend which were terrific people and Brian and Kenny whom showed up later but were incredibly nice as well. All of us were outside playing flip cup for awhile kids included but they had propel water in their cups. Just wanted to make sure they were involved and having a good time also.. Dance party going on indoors. Great food. lots of laughing and having a good time. I unfortunately had to remain many sober outside of a few beers, I needed to keep an eye of the kids as well as try to keep everyone reasonably happy. lol There was 30 people here at one point so thing to make sure all was good was not always easy but it was overall a fantastic time. Next time however less people will be invited and it will not be as chaotic and hopefully without any drama.  I just chalk that part up to it is bound to happen when there is that many people involved. OH well such is life. Would do it again in a heart beat without a few invited people lol *hugs* to all that came and had a great time.  Sunday morning it was time to chill relax and clean up any left over messes. Thanks to Dan, Geo, Tina, and Devon that helped me get the place back to perfect order and for Sarah sharing her yummy pumpkin spice.  I adore you guys.

Life Update :o)

The kiddo's are home from school today due to an inservice teacher day. On top of that they are stuck in the house because of the miserable chilly rain that is in a constant stream downward >< I am pretty proud of them for the most part they are trying their best to get along. They love to get on each other's nerves sometimes, typical sibling rivalry at its finest. At the present moment he is in his room playing with legos. While his sister is sitting on my bed (while I write)  playing with her Monster High stylist book as well as  6 of her MH dolls.  She is absolutely obsessed  with those toys. I personally think they are adorable. I have been rather busy getting prepared for the huge events occurring this weekend. Cleaning, craving pumpkins, laundry, and cooking UGH! I have a few adjustments to make to my costume and wig as well. I will get it all done. On the bright side I have gotten a good chunk of my Christmas shopping already completed. I am not a fan of going into the stores during the holiday itself, people for some  strange reason seem to be  rude that time of year. So I attempt to finish it all before Dec. 1st. This way I can just relax and enjoy the holiday with my family.  I am also keeping my fingers crossed that the slight cold I got a few days ago disappears prior to the weekend. *fingers crossed*  Well as long as it does not get worse I am golden. Have a great day everyone. Thanks to all that follow my blog.

West Chester Ghost Tour Fun

My family has been scaring up a good time lately and I am absolutely delighted. Halloween is hands down my be all end all holiday.  I assume that is why I try to keep it around all year. Last year while making holiday (x-mas)  cupcakes for the little monsters school. I was watching a ghost hunters marathon while doing so.  Any who…. This past weekend Mummy's little monsters as well as Mommy and Daddy went to a Ghost Tour. I must say it was rather fantastic.  We went to the Lincoln Room in Downtown West Chester. Before the outing began we ate dinner in the gathering area, Pulled pork sandwich's and OMG! to die for Butternut squash soup which I never had but it is YUMMY! At 8 the ghost tour began; Our tour guide was Malcolm Johnstone dressed as a gentleman from 1850's  guided us and approximately 45 other people on a 90 min. walking tour of the historic ghostly events of the West Chester area.  The tour began at the Lincoln room one of West Chester's most historic buildings dating back to 1833. It is a federal style structure built by William Everhart, a former congressman. The rooms retain its original molding and tin ceiling. Abraham Lincoln had his first biography written here. It is also said to be haunted by the ghost of John Tully a horse thief that died there after being whipped and having his ears cut off. We also learned about the Everhart Parks mysterious Shadow People, as well as the persecution of the accused Westtown Witch Moll Otley. If ever in the West Chester Area and are looking for something fun to do for this time of year. I would definitely recommend giving this a try. It is a lot of fun and the people that run it could not get any nicer. Wonderful experience all the way around. This week I am getting ready for the weekends big events.  Friday Night is Bates Motel followed by hanging in the house with  friends, watching so horror films. The following day is the big halloween Night of the Living Fed Party. Can't Wait!!!! 

Batty Cupcakes

With Halloween just around the corner this is a pretty simple cupcake idea for your kids or for them to bring to school. I made them Last year for my daughters class.

Ingredients:

Cupcakes (Baked from your favorite recipe)

Chocolate icing

White Frosting

2 M&M Mini's per cupcake

Jujube Candy 

Thin Mints Haviland Brand (if avaiable)

Andes Creme de Menthe Candies

Instructions

1. Frost a cupcake (baked from your favorite recipe) with chocolate icing.
2. For the bat's face, set two M&M's Minis in place for eyes and add a jujube candy nose.
3. For the wings, cut a Thin Mint (we used Haviland brand) in two and set the halves in place as shown. Then cut an Andes Crème de Menthe candy in half diagonally and set the pieces in place for the bat's ears.
4. Finally, add a white frosting mouth, fangs, and pupils.

To much to do so little time

This week is a whirl wind of things I need to get completed.

First off it is the matter of the kids school I was there for 2 hours this morning doing laminating for the teachers which I so lovingly volunteered to accomplish. Right before I was about to leave however two of the 5th grade teachers came in wanting me to laminate front and back covers for books, they are going to do with their class. UGH! So..... I have a huge pile awaiting my return on Thursday. Of course that will be after I get the Thursday Packets organized and sent to every class in the school. I am also Helping the Art teacher both on Thursday from 1-2 (might as well live at the school that day) and also on Friday from 9-11. UGH! What do I get myself into?

Well outside of all that the Halloween event is quickly creeping up on me. (No Pun intended) I still have a lot of decorating to accomplish. More webs, lighting, fog machine, etc. I am cooking  2 trays of Baked Ziti, Mummy Dogs and 2 pumpkin pies for that day at least everyone is bringing food which helps out a lot feeding 30 confirmed people is quite a lot for one people to handle. 

This is what I got done so far....

With still more to come but the 22nd is almost here and I cant wait I adore Halloween.

The Friday before the Party there is about 12 of us including my kids going over to Bates Motel Haunted House and hayride. My daughter is 6 and can't wait. She is a weird little thing that likes spooky Stuff. The kiddos watched Poltergeist over the the weekend and neither of them though it was scary. WTH! I remembered being frightened of that when I was younger.

Any who where was I..... OH yeah stuff to get done. The party stuff, school things, cleaning, Laundry which has seemed to over stuff the small laundry room I have. Grocery shopping,  Get the rest of my costume and my sons.  As well as a numerous amount of other things like find time to work on my Novel & blog of course. 

Best Pumpkin Pie Recipe

• 
  
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups canned pumpkin, mashed
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg plus 2 egg yolks, slightly beaten
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, optional
• 1 piece pre-made pie dough
• Whipped cream, for topping

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place 1 piece of pre-made pie dough down into a (9-inch) pie pan and press down along the bottom and all sides. Pinch and crimp the edges together to make a pretty pattern. Bake for 10 minutes, 

For the filling, in a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer. Add the pumpkin and beat until combined. Add the sugar and salt, and beat until combined. Add the eggs mixed with the yolks, half-and-half, and melted butter, and beat until combined. Finally, add the vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger, if using, and beat until incorporated.

Pour the filling into the warm prepared pie crust Make sure you cover the edge of the crust with foil for the first 25 minutes  of baking so it does not burn. Total baking time is 55 minutes, or until the center is set. Place the pie on a wire rack and cool to room temperature. Then I personally like to refrigerate mine for a bit.  Cut into slices and top each piece with a generous amount of whipped cream.

Double everything to make more than one pie :o) 

Prep time is about 15 mins

Cook time 55 Mins

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Day in the life!

I seem to keep myself unusually busy being a stay at home mom and writer. Also filling my days with volunteering at different functions as well as the PTO over at the kids school. The today and tomorrow are a whirlwind of things to do. Besides the norm. of getting the kids up, dress, with full tummies off to the bus. Today I had to be at the school at 8am to get the laminating done for the week for all the teachers. I got home and did about 3 loads of laundry and straightened up the home. (I absolutely hate not having everything in its proper place) UGH! by the time I was finished I had about an hour before the kids were getting off the bus to arrive home yet again. Dinner was completed and now I have 20 mins left before the monthly PTO meeting. I will spend about an hour and a half there jotting down the minutes so I can then update the schools website tomorrow with all the functions that are being planned and what we discussed for those that were unable to attend. Trust me I will be ready for bed once I get home to wake up and do it all over again tomorrow. Except I  will be spending from 10am - 12pm at the school helping out in the art room. Coming home after to make the pumpkin pie I have promised the kids. OH yeah come to find out the kids are calling me out for making cupcakes for the halloween parties. Which means about 55 cupcakes to make and decorate. RAWR!! It is a good feeling that they love my baking but the way I do it takes so much time and effort. I will add photos of what I did the past 2 years so you can understand why they pick me for this lol. Hope everyone is having a good evening, I am off to my meeting.

tombstones from 2009

my bats from halloween 2010

Snowmen from 2009

Reindeer from 2010

End of school cupcakes 2009

Hence why I get volunteered for making them all the time lol

The Ghost within

Thursday evening. I struggled to get to sleep that night I had both kids that took up residency in my bed and last thing I recalled was looking at the clock and it being 12:43 and myself still attempting to fall asleep. Next thing I realize is that it is now 2:30 in the morning and I was woken up by screams. Russ downstairs screaming my name like a mad man telling me there is something wrong. It sounds like something is walking up the stairs.  First off WTF! OK Myself and the kids are up here so why in the world are you just sitting on your ass curled up in blankets if you are hearing strange noises in the house? One would think he would get up to investigate whatever the heck he was hearing to make sure everyone was OK instead NO he sits downstairs yelling at the top of his lungs for me, who just recently got to bed. So sleepy and groggy I walk downstairs with my heart racing a million miles a min. Being startled awake is not fun, with 2 kids in tow whom where also woken up. To have him explain the noises. First thing that came to my mind was OK where is the cat? Let's check the closet. GUESS WHAT? he woke the world up due to our little fur baby getting herself locked inside of it. The cat was the ghost he so freaking out over. His explanation to me, for the screaming was he is terrified of the paranormal and I am fully intrigued by it. Since I have no fear of stuff like that he screamed for me. Gotta love it.  Finally I went back up to sleep only to have to wake up at 6am to get the kids ready for school. 

Scary isn't she!

Hosting a Halloween Event!

I try my best to be a great Hostess….

If there’s just one thing I have going for myself it’s the ability to have friends over and show them a great time via food, drinks, music, ambiance and conversation. Even if it’s just cards on the patio, effort is still made. It comes second nature, I look forward to, and love doing it.

On October 22, I’m hosting 28+ adults for a Night of the living Fed, spooks and Spirits Halloween Party… Oh. Shit!!!!

Don’t get me wrong, I’m loving this challenge. Going all out or trying damn hard — that’s my style. But this 28+ adults thing is freaking me out a bit;  One thing is for sure my townhouse is not the biggest thing in the world.

GOD FORBID IT RAINS.

With dry, semi warm weather we will be able to play flip cup and beer pong outdoors. The dining room is being converted into the place to play incase of inclement weather as well as the entire downstairs being converted to a semi- haunted house (See? I throw a kick ass party.)

But it has to be sunny. Ok, I’ll take not raining.

There is zero room for rain. I absolutely cannot have those numbers in my home with just our basic living room / dining room furniture. Uh uh, no way, no can do. I’m getting freaking heart palpitations just thinking about it. YIKES! there will have to be rules in place if the rain occurs.

So I am praying to the sun gods asking them to help a sister out and send SUNSHINE VIBES  and I will be indebted to you, one weather vibe sending, ok? That is not to much to ask. 

Kids, Homework, & Life!

OK so last night the kids get home from school, as I am sitting with them helping them do there home an I honestly can't remember doing any of the stuff they are doing when I was their age in school. Seriously my son is in forth grade doing Calculus ? Seriously I do not even understand this crap????? Looking at this confuses the bejeebus out of me.

My daughter is doing simpler stuff  like writing sight words and then making a complete sentence off her words. Which still for a 1st grader I can not recall for the life of me doing stuff like that. In my mind I recall playing, coloring, cutting, and ABC's and just learning to count.

While in the midst of doing that my new headboard showed up from UPS so I spent the remained of my evening putting that entire things together. I official hate diagram instructions with out any form of written words UGH! The watching the guys try to get it hooked up to the wall was funny all on it's own. Thank you baby jee-bus for Brian being here and knowing how to work tools otherwise I may have slaughtered Russ during last nights building events lol. But it is up woot complete with stuff put away. SEE! WOO HOO.

This morning is yet again a rain event which is kewl it does not bother me any. I got the kids up and off to school and after headed over there myself so I could get at least 2 hours worth of the laminating completed. I swear I should be on Salary over there I volunteer so much. But in the long run it is fantastic that my kiddos see so much of me. Now I am off to get the rest of the house clean. Have a great day!

Pumpkin Bread w/ Cranberries

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 3/4 cups pumpkin pureé (15 oz can)
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup fresh or dried cranberries

Combine flour, spice, baking powder, and salt in bowl; stir to blend the dry ingredients well. Combine eggs, sugar, pumpkin, and oil in a mixing bowl, beating until smooth. Stir in flour mixture, then stir in cranberries. Spoon into a greased and floured 9x5x2-inch loaf pan. Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 40 minutes, or until a wooden pick or cake tester inserted in center comes out clean.

Raising Children

Teaching my children unconditional love. I am far from the perfect mother but then again anyone that tells you that they are I call bullshit and will tell you, that your a LIAR! We are human after all and human beings are flawed by nature. I have emotions, I curse and sometimes forget things. I have faults just like everyone else. I am a very serious parent however. Being a Mother is after all a very serious job.

I feel in my heart of hearts the best way to raise a child is to teach tolerance and acceptance. To accept others for their differences, to keep an open mind and perhaps learn from those people instead of ostracize them. I want them to try their best to spread love through our world instead of hate.

Yeah I have opinions on organized religion as a whole I think it is borderline child abuse to force your mind/beliefs onto a young child. I am Pagan in belief but I keep religion as a whole away from my kids, unless of course they ask me. They I will answer with truth, honesty and the difference between scientific accuracy and faith.

When they reach an age when they want to search for there own path I will gladly help them with any decision they chose, But they must find their way there on their own so they understand why they feel the way they do and where not forced into it because mommy or daddy dragged them to church.

I feel it is your job as a parent to teach right from wrong. Guide them on the path of what is good and try to steer them in the right direction if you see danger ahead. Be there for them with care and guidance. It is not your job to force your political views or religion upon them. In my eyes it is equally wrong force them into Sports or pageantry just because that is what you love or what you want for them.  My Son is just beginning the Clarinet in the school band, not because I told him he had to but because he chose to do that. Now do not get me wrong establishing goals for them is very important as well so the can achieve what they set there mind to and feel proud of what they have accomplished. However allow them to pick what feels right to them. Then set a goal based of of that. 

At this time my son whom is in 4th grade wants to be an Astrophysicist when he gets older. I am doing my best to help him with lots of Science and Math. He watches the science channel a lot with I am very very proud of him for wanting to do this and being so excited for his love of the universe. This all began with his parents watching a show on black holes. He just wanted to learn more and more and came to the decision of wanting to do this on his own.

My daughter at this time and for the past 3 years says she wants to be a Veterinarian when she grows up. She has had a massive love for animals ever since she was 2 and I adopted our current cat Hannah cause she wanted he so bad. That cat falls asleep with that girl almost overnight.  Once again this is not something I forced on her. It was something that was within her heart.

Any who where am I going with this? I am just spewing out my opinions on raising a child. I feel it is massively wrong to force anyone into anything. I do not care if my kids work as a Janitor or a Doctor when they get older as long as they are happy, have a good heart, and learn how to unconditionally love themselves.

Once again I am not without flaws I do past judgement on people, But ONLY based off of their actions.  If you commit crime, live for drama, or have close minded views will I have an opinion. I will NEVER judge based on the color of their skin, sexual orientation, age, or any  that stuff that should never be a factor in who a person is inside.

Life with Great Friends

Yeah it has been awhile since I have been able to sit and blog it up lol. Since the school year has begun: I have been super busy with helping out with the PTO website, Laminating, and doing Thursday packets on top of being the assistant couch to my daughter's cheerleading squad. That plus finding the time to keep up on writing, housework, and finding time for friends. i have barely had any mommy me time, just to veg out or even read. UGH! Labor day weekend we had a big neighborhood BBQ and then after party. Over all it went very well. The after party was the best *wink* Beer pong/flip cup and all the necessary evils that go along with it. Dan one of my best friends in the entire world even showed up, when I was not excepting him to. I was so thrilled to see him. My Bro, Tina, Devon, Justin, Emily, and the greatest neighbors any one could ask for Sarah, Brain, & Molly as well as Joe, Becky, Kelly, AJ, Dave, Plus my 2 ren. faire sisters Helen and Jackie all came to the party. We all had a pretty terrific time and I hope you are all ready for the Halloween event coming up, Named Night of the Living Fed, Spooks and Spirits Party!!!! I love all you guys and gals *** Hugs*** I am seriously blessed with some phenomenal people in my life and I am very grateful to have such wonderful friends..

Today was a Cheerleading Clinic for my daughter, She seemed to enjoy herself even though Mommy was not overly thrilled. Being around Catty people id not normally my thing. But J's Best Friend is on the team and her awesome mother Lori is the coach: Which is the only reason I volunteered to assist. Well now it is time for me to Veg. out a bit before I need to get the kids from the bus.

Harry Potter "Deathly Hallows Part 2"

For me personally Harry Potter has been a magical experience from beginning to end. From the books that I have read numerous times to the 10 years and 8 films, watching the cast grow up and feeling honored to be apart of the entire experience in some small form. The Potter universe, magical as it is, is more grounded in heart and soul than many fictions and our muggle world has been made all the better due to its magic. It's a fitting spellbinding finale to an unparalleled cinematic accomplishment and one of the greatest film series ever made! In this concluding chapter of the Harry Potter saga, we're invited to a showdown of truly epic proportions. Not since The Return of the King has a fantasy film been this grand and exciting. Old and new alike, even the smallest of characters gets their time to shine, as wizards, giants and all manner of magical creatures clash together in fiery engagement. And as for the deciding dual between Harry and Voldemort, let me tell you it couldn't have been any more perfect. Emotionally omnipotent and breathtaking in the action, it's a battle of wills you won't soon forget. The only problem I had with the film was that It felt too short and rushed through a lot of build up (destroying the horcruxes for example) just to reach the final confrontation. This film will indelible leave its mark on cinema history, it is a must-see event! Highly Recommended.

Kiddos

Yesterday was J's first day home from school for summer break. She was incredibly bored and wanting to be in school which is a terrific thing that she loves it that much. Once her brother got home hell broke loose, they could not get along with each other for anything.  As long as I kept them separated they were both fine. I shouldn't have to play referrer all day in order to keep the home somewhat sane. I sure hope the summer turns out much better than how it has started. On a more positive note, today was the Summer read-a-thon kick off over at the kids school. I headed over there for that. The entire school gave a wonderful song performance prior to heading over to there blankets for quiet reading time. 

 I sat out and read a chapter or so of my Vampire Diaries book before my little one got bored and asked to come home. She had to make sure she said good-bye again to all of her teachers and helpers along the way, as well as giving hugs to every person she knew lol. Just being her adorable self. T has about another hour left of school today and tomorrow is his last day before summer break it also happens to be his b-day tomorrow but we are celebrating that on the weekend. My parents are coming up for it as well. I just wish he would behave himself. The struggles of dealing with a child with ADHD can be immense at times. So far this week is not one of his better weeks. He has been grounded from outside play for the past 2 days and I really do not want to make it go into a 3rd day but he cant seem to pull himself together. All I am asking him to do is stop talking back and punching things when he gets upset but that is not working at this time. Save me now before I go completely insane. 

As time goes by!

My son at birth!

My Daughter at 6 weeks old!

I can't fathom where the time goes. Today my little princess has graduated from kindergarten.  Just the word "kindergarten" sound cute! The first year of school was meant for her to learn how to share and care, make new friends and spend some time on their own, away from the warm cocoon of mommy and home. It is a great opportunity for her to learn new things on their own, ask questions and get the answers. It is a stepping-stone for future education. Graduating from Kindergarten is a big deal. It's the official end of the "baby" years as my little princess become more independent by starting 1st grade. However, Life is not just about learning to read and write. They are important, but more so is love and friendship. The school places great emphasis on being part of the community. My little girl is ready now to move on to the next phase of her education. but I hope she remembers the fun, joy and happiness. The learning of numbers, shapes, letters, words and the world around you, and the great friends you have made along the way. The ceremony they had today was way to adorable for words. The tear came down my face as they played Let them be little by Lonestar as they were showing there baby pictures. The day was wonderful.

My terrific son is graduating from the 3rd grade, which I can hardly believe. It seriously only feels like a few weeks ago they were both tiny and in my arms.  One more year and he will be in the double digit age group. *sad face* but on the bright side each year brings more memories and lifetime milestones. 

Both of them today!

Motherhood

As I sit inside my nice air conditioned home on this amazingly hot early June day, I've been reflecting a bit on what being a mom means to me. How it has changed me, what it has taught me, what it still has to teach me.  Laundry  always needing to be done, school projects that need to be complete, housework that never seems to end are constant reminders of the daily responsibilities of a mother. The many duties that have no place on a resume as well as receiving no monetary compensation. Plus, all the work that you do that often gets un-noticed even by your husband and the children are still to small to understand the amount of work it takes to run the household. When they no longer call for mom over and over during a day, make constant demands, lose control. They will one day be adults themselves and perhaps parents. Then they will appreciate all that you have done. I have learned raising a family is a roller coaster ride through life with a mixed range of emotions joy, terror, hurt, love, comfort, happiness and so many other feelings. Being a parent is not always a bed of roses but attempting to focus on the positive instead of the frustration of the temper tantrum they just took makes a world of difference. I try to value what I do as a parent. 

I have learned flaws of my impatience, temper, and insecurity. I have had to learn to deal with those in an entirely new way. I am still learning. I will spend the rest of my life learning as my children grow and change. I am slowly coming to terms with no letting small moments of failure crush me. I need to let go of the idea of everything being perfect. Always wondering if I am doing the "Mom" thing right.  Everyone thinks they have the right way to raise children. But seriously at the end of the day, we are all just trying the best we can do with every daily change that comes are way. There is no needs for mommy wars and who is doing what right or wrong. We are all in this together and learning as we go.

What no one can understand unless they are a mother themselves is that just holding you child or getting a hug can make a huge positive change in your day. The way they do something cute or funny that makes you just smile inside and out. Waking up at 2am in the morning cause they want to climb into the bed with you. Getting the greatest joys out of the smallest things is what it means to be a mom.

It is about getting up early in the morning to fix them breakfast, get the ready for school and kiss them goodbye for the day as they get on the bus. Half way through the day realizing the house is to quiet and missing them dearly. Hearing the phone ring on the odd occasion seeing it is the school and hoping all is OK with the little people of your world.

It is watching Finding Nemo  as Marlon searches the vast ocean for his son as your eyes swell with tears, knowing you would search the ends of the earth to make sure your own children are safe. It means giving up things from the person you were before. Knowing that you are unconditionally loved in return.

I want to build a household of fun, wonderful memories, and good life lessons. I try to be a great mom, a fun mom and will work harder everyday to be the best mom I can be for my family. I aspire to be the kind of mom that my daughter will one day want to be,  one that my son looks for in a wife someday when they have kids.

Motherhood is definitely the hardest and most rewarding job a woman can have. Learning the human heart's capacity to love is one of the wonders that happen when you are a mom.