In A Moment

I had a moment with the boy today.  One of those moments that brings tears to my eyes...that makes me feel proud, sad, thankful and old all in the span of about 10 seconds.  And, as I write the story, I'm reminded of why I blog.  Because without this blog, the moment would likely be lost in a lifetime of moments.  It would not be written down, I'd forget to share it and like a million other parent/child interactions, it would simply slip my mind.  I want to remember him today...his sweetness, his innocence and his perspective.

We were in the kitchen, he was pouring his cereal and I was making a cup of coffee.  I'm generally not a big talker in the morning and he generally is.  This has been a point of contention with us.  There have been many times that we've reconnected at the end of the day and he's been less than happy with me because, in my effort to speak as little as possible before 8:00 am, I've forgotten to tell him something really important.  Something like the final score of a game we were watching, or that there were bad storms that he slept through or that one of his favorites was voted off the island. 

Considering the big news of the previous evening and not wanting him to be the last to know about the USA finally locating OBL, I paused to plot how to broach the subject.

"Uhm...so something kind of big happened last night", I say.

This catches his interest.  He stops mid-crunch and responds with a mouthful, "What?"

"Well, you know who the terrorist OBL is, right?"  He nods his head.  "OK, well, the military finally located him and he was killed in a fire fight."

I can see his "wheels turning."  He looks confused, almost pained.  And then he says, "So it is kind of a good/bad thing?"

"Really, what makes you think so?", I ask.

"Well, he can't hurt anyone else, so I guess that is good.  But, his family will probably really miss him, so I guess that is bad.  I feel sorry for his parents and his children"

 My eyes begin to tear.  I know he's just a little boy and I pray he never experiences the pain of those involved in 9/11, but I hope he can retain this perspective on life.  A horrible man died yesterday.  His radical beliefs, fueled by his mental illness, caused irreparable damage to our world. 

And even though my boy's perspective is simple...it is right.  I was to celebrate him today...my boy...and his innocence because he thinks, feels, respects and loves.  I don't believe the terrorist that died yesterday did any of those things and I don't want to celebrate him. 

Where I've Been...

For the last 6 days....

I've been relaxing, recovering and reconnecting.  I've been eating incredible Fish Tacos everyday, loving the sun and floating in so many pools that I lost track of the count.

JB and I were vacationing in Cabo....

...with some of my besties from 25 years ago.

Ward, Tim and Jennifer

I'll never forget, when I came home (after knowing JB for three days) and announced that I was getting married...they were scared, but they "got it"...they loved him...they loved me.  In the last 25 years, we've gone our separate ways and this vacation was a time to just reconnect.  And, man, did we laugh and act like we were 20 again!  (And I completely apologize to all those at Pueblo Bonita Sunset Beach this week!)

They've grown into incredible people and have great partners.  (Well, except for Tim...he's a little too much for one person to keep up with. ;-)

We've never left our kids for a week...it was about time...and what an awesome time it was!!! 

I have a feeling this may become an annual event. 

He is all that....

I've been SO busy...it is nuts!  Well, nuts for me.

I mean, I'm generally not a very busy person.  Oh, I do have a full time job, two kids and a ridiculously stupid amount of hobbies; but I'm generally pretty lazy and not very productive. 

My kids aren't in a ton of activities...and my husband cleans the kitchen and does all the laundry.  (Now you really feel sorry for me, right?)  How do you think I spend so much time on the internet?  I'm L.A.Z.Y!

Anyway, I've just had too much to do.  (And, I'm not entirely sure I'm won your sympathy yet!)

I've made two trips to Tulsa in the last four days, cooked dinner for 33, taken a TON of pictures (including my handsome, ridiculously handsome nephew featured above), and been to a fancy-smancy dinner with lots of famous sports peeps. 

It's been interesting...but it's really interrupted my blogging roll.  I'm gonna try and get back on it...until I go on vacation next week.  ;-)

This Ain't Kansas...

I'm so flippin' tired of the wind.  Tired. T.I.R.D! 

Downtown is a dustbowl!  Even if I sew fishing weights in the hems of my skirts...they'll still be blowin' up around my shoulders!

On the way home, I thought (for one second) that the whitecaps on the lake were pretty, but then I almost lost control of my vehicle because of the gale force and my single positive thought was quickly suppressed.  Ugh!

Came to T-town tonight for a weekend with the family and the wind is whippin' in Green Country too!  

This wind.  Seriously.  This ain't Kansas!!

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I'm pretty excited about tomorrow.  I'm taking pictures of my (beautiful) nephew, Zach.  He is (beautiful) such a good boy young man.   And, he's just so flippin' (beautiful) handsome.  I just hope I can do him justice.

After that...let the baking begin...celebrating Easter on Sunday with the entire clan.  Proved the entire state of Oklahoma hasn't been blown away by then!

One, Two, Three and Four Pack

Sissy is working on counting...

Bubba is working on his "4 pack"...

(I about fell on the floor when he said, "Hey Mama, I've totally got a "4 pack".  LOL!)

Daddy found a way to address both issues....

Family push-up sessions!

Notice...Daddy participates, Mama photographs.  ;-)

The Roadshow

I can finally stop dodging my father's calls.  I'll sleep better tonight.

You see, he's been after me for WEEKS to submit his entry into the "Antique Roadshow."  No, I didn't actually enter my father, I entered a piece of his furniture. 

This huge beast-of-a-thing.  My parents bought it in 1983 and have always used it as their china cabinet.  The story goes, or so we think...we lost the best memory in the family last year :( , it was a dentistry cabinet in Austria.  That's what he said, but the folks in carvings are wearing wooden shoes so I probably should have said Holland.  LOL. 

Anyway...I doubt we'll hear anything...but he wanted to try since it is an unusual, beautiful and unique piece of furniture.   We shall see.  The Roadshow is coming to Tulsa this summer...so, cross your fingers!

Worth The Wait...

For his birthday in November, he wanted money.

For Christmas, he wanted money.

He's been saving...

and saving...

and begging...

and pleading...

for this.....

 His very own Color Nook with a turquoise cover!!! 

He's so proud! 

(And I can't wait for it to charge so that I can play with it while he sleeps!)

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p.s.  This blog is in its 4th month...and yes, I realize this is the 1,000th picture in my Master Bathroom. 

I know...I know....but it has the best light!!  ;-)