Finding my purpose

So, I am rethinking this blog... I am searching for the way to show my kids what it means to work hard, try harder and still love life.  You know, find that balance.  I know I sure don't seem to have it, but I want it so bad.
All in all, life is great.  I am married to my best friend, who seems to love me despite of me.  Our 2 kids are wonderful.  Colten is going to be 13 this summer.  How did that happen?!? 
I think that is what I struggle with the most.  How did I let 13 years slip by without enjoying every single second of it.  Or at least be able to remember it! 
I have started telling my kids the stories, the crazy moments and all of the stuff in between that I can recall about their lives so far. 
I can't bear the thought that these moments may slip through the sieve that is my mind.

I just wonder is there anyone else who feels like this?

My wonderful boy!

So, my amazing son gave me a treat today.  Our routine when Cory is working afternoons is I pick up Erin from school and wait for Colten to get home at 3.  Most days I head back to work for a bit and Colten looks after Erin.

Today, I was running a bit late.  I came home to find my wonderful boy already showered for the night and putting away the clean dishes from the washer!  How amazing is that?

I thought I would share it here as sometime in the future I will need it to remind me that the moody teenager is still this kid deep down.

It almost brought me to tears...  Something so simple as putting away the dishes.  It totally made my day.  Love you, Colten!

Wallow Fire

As I sit here thinking of how much I have complained about the rain this spring, I am feeling guilty.  If only I could send it down to Eager in hopes of stopping the Wallow Fire.

That town is the home of a huge branch of my family tree.  And as I type, my uncle is out fighting the fire.  This is a man that loves those White Mountains and I can't picture him any where else.

It was the home of my most amazing grandfather, Dutch.  He loved the mountains, lakes, town and family like no one I have ever known.  Camping, fishing and just so much fun to be around.  And did he ever curse the wind.  The same wind that is making this fire so hard to fight.  

So many amazing childhood memories and I hope and pray that no one is harmed and they are able to go home to their homes, and not to loss.

Work ponderings

So, we all hear about the youngest generation moving into the workforce...  The Millennials, Gen Y, the Snowflake generation, etc, etc.  I have had variations of this for a few years and have always managed to coach through the sense of entitlement they seem to exude.  
I have a particularly challenging one now and all I can think of is how do I make sure my kids don't enter the workforce with the attitude this one exudes???  
Honestly, how do you "coach" the statement "you are holding me to a higher standard than everyone else"?  Really?!?!?  Coming to work on time, being present and attentive to your tasks is a higher standard than the rest of the group?  I am not expecting perfection, heck, I'll settle for mediocre from this one.


If I don't manage anything else in my career as a mother, I hope it is to teach my kids that life is not going to be handed to them on a platter, that they can't expect 6 figures out of high school and no one HAS to give them a job, let alone let them keep it.  
I am not saying they can't be choosy, or need to settle for something that they will be unhappy at, but they darn well better expect they will have to give their all, whatever they choose.  


"Do you mind if I go home now (it's 11am), I am still in relax mode from my weekend?"  

Weekends

In an attempt to find that balance the kids and I have been having some fun on the weekends.  The last two weeks we went to the beach.  Last week, was to simply try to pretend it was summer for at least a day (we have had a dark rainy spring!).  It ended up being warm and sunny and we had a great time.  So, I promised the kids we would do it again the next week.  

He is almost 13!  How did this happen?  I just wish he'd slow down a bit.  He is going  to be all grown up way too soon!

Saturday was a day trip to Burn's Bog.  One of only 3 left in the world and amazing that it sits in the middle of the city.  Erin's girl guide group was going and since I had to get her there, I figured I would go along too.  It was beautiful, cold, but beautiful.  And I acted as mosquito repellant for the girls as they seem to like me the most!

Erin, with my niece and nephew.  This boy is hilarious!  He has already wised up to the fact that hanging with his sister's friends can only benefit him later in life.  And really, he just loves to go on adventures.

Sunday, the kids and I hit another beach.  Cory is on graveyards for the first time in a long time, so getting out of the house will let him sleep without interruptions. 

This time we headed to Centennial Beach.  It is another beautiful spot that I can't believe we haven't discovered before today.  The tide goes out for a mile it seems and it isn't deep to begin with.   This makes the shallow pools left behind quite warm.  I keep thinking I would love to move closer to the coast.  But an hour drive isn't that bad, all things considered.

My house may not be tidy and there is work piled on my desk, but all in all this is a fair trade for the craziness of both...

New Hobby

My wonderful husband bought me a camera for Mother's Day.  I am looking forward to better recording our lives.  Now to figure out how to use it....

Getting Started

I am not sure what I plan to do with this blog...  Record my crazy upside down but very normal life maybe.


I hope that in sharing my thoughts, ramblings, trials and tribulations I may find that I am not the only one...