Graduation Fever

Last weekend, I watched my little brother graduate from high school and it reminded me of my own and how much I have changed since that time and I wonder how much will he change in 10 years.
There was a moment when the commencement speaker was telling these young graduates to read...she said, "read your college textbooks, read for the fun it or read to a young person...do you remember that feeling as a child when you would sit on someone's lap and they would read to you, well do it for someone else, but read."
It was this moment that I broke down, I couldn't help myself because at that moment, I was flooded with all the moments of when I would read to him or how often he would follow me and how frustrated I would get and now I'm lucky if I even get him to stop and say hello.
By all means he is no longer the little boy I remember and he is at a point where he is unsure of his plans, college, job corp, or what...and no matter how many times I stress it, he just needs to get away for the kids he is running about with now. I know he isn't listening.
I know he doesn't believe in himself that he can finish college as he barely got by high school, but I believe in him. And I ask myself will he find himself and straighten out, but I wonder as he continues to hang with the people he is associating himself with - will he change, will he come into the person I know he can be or will he take the lazy road to life. I hope not because I know he is capable of more, he is good, he is smart, but he just isn't acting it right now. And then should we even ask that of him as he struggles to find himself because really graduation from high school is really only the beginning.

"Graduation is only a concept. In real life every day you graduate. Graduation is a process that goes on until the last day of your life. If you can grasp that, you'll make a difference." ~Arie Pencovici

Picking Sunshine

The sun was shinning and it was just a beautiful day, so I asked my kids if they wanted to go on a picnic for lunch. We packed a quick lunch, the always reliable PBJ, raisins, cheddar goldfish and pretzels. I grabbed a ball and a blanket and we headed off and we found a nice spot to lay the blanket down and have a picnic.
My sweet pea rolled over on her back and just had the biggest smile on her face, I loved it. Then my little man took his shoes off and started picking the dandilions, sniffing them and so his sister decided to help. They picked a whole bunch and she handed them to me and said, "here mommy, we picked sunshine for you, a whole bunch too."

It is in these moments that I just love and want to pause, freeze the moment, and put it in my pocket. They are young for such a sort time and every day I see something new and wonderous. My little girl is now asking with every word she hears or sees, "What letter does water begin with?" And as I tell her, she practices and my little man, he is just talking in full sentences now and I am like where did my baby boy go? I want to expose them to every wonder of the world, I've started teaching them their body parts in Maori and some Spanish. I can't get over how quickly they recall it - they impress me everyday!

Happy Mommy Day

Happy Mommy Day to mommies everywhere!

No matter how old I was I always looked at my mom through childhood eyes and it really wasn't until I became a mother that I was able to see her differently and see her for the person she is and all she has done. It was like some veil was lifted off and things I didn't understand as a child, a teenager and so forth didn't make sense until the role of mother was granted to me. I probably don't tell my mother often enough how much I love her, but I hope she knows because I do (that is my momma in the pink holding my first born - you can't tell she's excited about becoming a Nana, can ya)

I also want to say Happy Mommy Day to Nana - you are in my thoughts and prayers and I love you!

"Some people go through life trying to find out what the world holds for them only to find out too late that it's what they bring to the world that really counts." - Anne of Green Gables

Another 30th Comes Our Way....

My friend is celebrating her big 3-0 and I'm glad I can help celebrate this moment in her life with her.
So Porsh, here is your birthday sign -

She's hot, She rocks, She likes to get dirty...all still appropriate for 30!

Anyway, Happy Birthday Friend - I admire your courage, your strength and all you have given me with your constant friendship! And by the way, I'm thankful your hubby got you knocked up so that we can share the joys and pains of raising our children together!

Happy Birthday! Kia huritau ki a koe! Feliz Cumpleaños! We will see you this weekend!

Arohanui (much love)

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." - Anais Nin