Laughter to a Mom's Ear

Last night, all the kids were home. Mackenzie’s boyfriend Matthew and Chase’s friend Tybee were over, as well. After dinner, The whole gang was upstairs, just “hanging out” together.

I had just snuggled in to read one of my new mystery books, when I heard a loud burst of laughter coming from upstairs. It made me smile. A few minutes later, another burst of laughter. Another smile. This continued for a while. Jack walked in and saw me with a huge smile on my face - he was smiling, too.

He said “It makes you happy when they’re happy, doesn’t it”. “Yes….very,” I replied.

I wonder…. do they have any idea - as they hang out upstairs, laughing together – how wonderful they are? Do they know how much joy they bring me just by being.

Do they know that the sound of their laughter is my favorite sound in the whole world.

Do they know that when they’re happy – I am happy. And when they’re sad – I am sad.

Do they know how I am tempted to run upstairs and lock the door – keeping them there, together. Warm, and safe and happy. Laughing. Surrounded by love. Where nothing bad can ever touch them.

Do they know that every time I hear them laugh, I smile.

Do they know that small, simple moments like they’re living right now, are really the most precious ones in life.

I wonder -
Do they know how much I truly love them. Do they really know….

Growing Pains

Let me start by saying that one of my favorite - ABSOLUTE FAVORITE - things in the whole world is the sound of my little boy Chance saying all right. He says it kind of like Elmer Fudd - "Aw-wite", but instead of dragged out and whiny sounding, he says it quick and cheerful and sweet. So sweet. He says it all of the time. Whenever I tell him - Chance, you need to pick up your room before you go outside. "Aw-wite." Can you put those towels away for me, honey? "Aw-wite." Go brush your teeth. "Aw-wite". He doesn't argue, or question, or even hesitate - just "aw-wite". Every time I hear it - EVERY SINGLE TIME - it makes my heart smile.


Well, last night we were all gathered around the island in the kitchen (funny how that always happens, isn't it?) - the kids were doing their homework, I was fixing dinner, etc. I was walking toward the refrigerator and was telling Chance to put his homework in his backpack when he was finished and he said "all right". Bailey & I both stopped dead in our tracks and stared at each other.



I could feel my heart break just a little.



"What did you say, Chance?" I said. "All right," Chance said. Jack, Bailey & I exchanged anguished looks of understanding. Right there, in that very moment, sitting at the island with his still-small hand wrapped around a Sponge Bob pencil, Chance had grown up a little. And "aw-wite" was gone.





Forever.







And that's how it happens. They grow up right in front of us in the blink of an eye. IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE, PEOPLE!





Later, I explained to Chance that he used to say all right differently and if he wanted to throw me one last "aw-wite" for Old Time's (an hour ago) Sake - he could. And he just looked at me like he had no idea what I was talking about, but then he smiled and sweetly said "aw-wite".






But y'all.




It was different. He was different.






Because, as you know, we can't ever go back. Not years. Not an hour. Not even a blink. Not even if we really, really. REALLY. Want to.




So, Good-bye oh-so sweet, innocent, staggeringly precious "aw-wite".
I will miss you so.

Squirrel Funeral

The kids were playing with some neigborhood friends down the street when a "tragedy" occurred. A squirrel ran out in the road & was run over by a passing car.

The kids were so upset about the injustice of it all. They gathered together and said a little improptu prayer for the squirrel. Then they started to sing.

I'm not kidding.

A neighbor thought it was so sweet she took this picture through her window and sent it to us. I'm thinking - there's 7 people there!

That's quite a good turnout for a Squirrel Funeral.

Then the neighbor went outside to talk with the kids & noticed someone else had joined their little service:

Touching, isn't it. Just touching.

Birthday Shout Out

While growing up, I was especially blessed in the "Friend" department. I hung out with the absolute BEST group of girls on the planet! We were known for sporting the best of 80's fashion - including the giant pouffy bangs, all talking at exactly the same time, & saying the word like.... like a lot. Two of my gal-pals were identical twins (boy did we have some fun with that) and just really special people. Some of my favorite things about them were:

1. They let me hang out with them despite the fact that they were "so totally cooler" than me.

2. They were (& still are) drop-dead gorgeous! Which meant we always got a lot of attention when we went places. And free drinks. And marriage proposals.

3. Half their basement served as a giant closet that I swear was the Mecca of cool clothes & shoes. And they SHARED THEM WITH ME! (I still get misty-eyed thinking about all the shoulder pads & blingy belts).

4. Ya know when you wear like thick, goopy lipstick and you like get that scumline thing around your like lip? They like always discreetly let me know when I like had that going on. Fer sure.

5. They loved Madonna & Prince just as much as I did.

Good times. Good times.

Along with being Beautiful, they were (& still are) Smart, & Witty, & Kind. And although this seems like it would be nauseating - they somehow pull it off.

So......

P.S.:

Love/Hate Relationship.

Sometimes I HATE my house!! When I first saw my house over three years ago - I just loved it. It's this funky-Frank-Lloyd-Wright-type house with floor-to-ceiling windows and weird angles.

When Jack first saw the house, he said "It's attractive. And very odd. Just like you.

It's perfect for you."

What it really is, is a huge PAIN IN THE A__!

(Which some people would say, is also just like me. Stop smiling Mom.)

Anyway, three years of continuous 'remodel' later (and an on-going lawsuit with roofers), and still, 5:00 in the morning, we wake up to "drip,drip,plunk,plunk" all over the house! Then there's the next three days of pulled-up carpet and fans blowing everywhere, and the oh-so lovely musty aroma that comes with your house being drenched in three inches of rain.

It's enough to make me crazy. (Yes, I think that's what's doing it.)

But, the best part about my house - the part that really made me want to move here - is "Our Forest". The house is wedged into a greenbelt filled with tall trees and a creek, that we call our forest. I love our forest. In the winter, when all the trees are bare and it snows, it looks like a beautiful painting. In the Spring, when all the trees turn green and full, it looks like a lush paradise (to me).

This is the best room in the house. It's a great place to relax and enjoy a cold beverage.

Right next to the deck is our "Fire Pit", which the kids absolutely love!

I mean, making s'mores in your own backyard?

Does it get any better than that?

So, until Jack whips this house into shape - and finally ends the 'remodel hell' that is our life, I think I will stay outside on the deck. And enjoy a cold beverage. Or two.

This is a test blog! Mom - can you see this??????