A New Stage of Life

Today is my last day in my early 30s. Tomorrow I will be 35 and will begin a new stage of life. I am not necessarily sad about this realization but simply taking the time to appreciate my past and how much I have learned in my 34 years. I will definitely miss the sense of still being "young" with many exciting milestones ahead of me such as graduation, starting my "real" job, buying my first house, meeting "the one", getting engaged, getting married, honeymooning, being pregnant, nursing my precious baby in the middle of the night. All of these things I have experienced with great joy, however I will never again encounter these precious moments in life.

I look forward with hope that my upper 30s and 40s can be some of the best years yet. I may not feel the tiny kicks from a babe growing inside of me but I get to watch my three amazing children grow into teenagers and young adults. Many say that the adolescent years are very trying years for a parent, but I am convinced that there can be some pretty awesome moments as well. Jentry will be 10 this summer and I am beginning to see a glimpse of what our relationship might grow to be as she matures into a young lady. I may worry and pray for my children constantly but I believe watching them learn and come into their own will bring me a kind of joy I have never experienced.

I have learned a great deal about myself and some hard life lessons in the last 34 years. All of these days will only make the next stage of life all the more enjoyable. I know who I am. I know more of what I like and don't like. I know more of what is important to me and what is not. I am more confident in the skills God has given to me and I know where I need to continue to grow. My fear of missing out is diminishing. I have a sense of security and respect that were not present in my 20s.

The next decade will be busy but I will also become less needed for daily tasks. I will gradually get some minutes back for myself, which will be welcomed with open arms. My children will become more capable of doing real chores. Amen! In the summer, I will sit by the pool with a good book, my one-piece bathing suit and not give a damn about my white spider-vein legs.

Cheers to the next 35 years! May they be filled with a new joy that can only be experienced with age.

A Visit With Granny

Friday I braved 325 miles in the car ...with children...solo. Sounds like self-induced torture, but seeing my grandmother get down on her living room floor and play with Mason and hold baby Tucker for the very first time made every crazy mile worth it. Granny is no longer able to drive to us, so we drove to her.

Mason was worried that Granny Mary didn't have any toys but low and behold she had dug out the toys I played with as a girl, washed them up a bit and had them set out ready for play. Mason was in heaven with the 1980's Fisher Price Camping Set. It was always one of my favorites too.

Granny couldn't find her block set, so she gathered up all the Kleenex boxes she could find. Mason played with them for over an hour.

In an attempt to burn some energy before getting back in the car, Grandma Bose took Mason for a walk. I believe she had good intentions, however she allowed him to jump in puddles which made his shoes, socks and pants soaking wet. As if that wasn't silly enough, he then fell face first into the melting snow. We had to put everything but his shirt in the dryer before we could leave. Granny gave him some silly purple and white striped socks to keep his legs warm while we waited.

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a four generation picture, so this photo was absolutely worth the day of travel. I will treasure it for many years to come.

Heart Day

Yesterday was such a fun day. Nothing was super expensive or over the top but I had a great day celebrating Valentine's Day with those that I love.

We started the day of love with chocolate strawberry smoothies for breakfast.

Mason was more than excited to take his emoji cards and suckers to his friends at preschool. Mrs. Mau did such an amazing job helping each little make a "One in a Minion" box to collect their valentines.

Jentry's class held a lunch box auction. Each student was to bring a Valentine's box with a lunch inside. The students could earn love bucks and then use their money to bid on a lunch box. Jentry won her friend Mia's pig. It was so creative and cute.

Tucker and I took lunch to Daddy. Tucker was kind enough to let the two of us eat uninterrupted as he slept through it all. How romantic!

The kids opened cards and gifts from grandparents and we all enjoyed red pancakes for supper.

We ended the day with the "Happy Valentine's Day Little Critter!" book.

Love is just precious.

A Child of God

This little guy has been with us for two whole months now. We are all settling in and finding a bit of a routine... if there's such a thing.

Those smiles!

Daddy claimed that Tucker rolled from his tummy to his back during the Super Bowl. Mommy didn't believe him until he did it again a few days later.

Mommy is excited to have a new laundry assistant but the helper apparently thinks laundry is a complete bore.

Well hello bright eyes!

Lunch dates with mom are the best!

On Sunday, February 11, 2018, Tucker Jack McKenzie was baptized at the Sutton Federated Church by Pastor Mary Scott. What a perfect day! After the service, we celebrated with family at the Legion and invited everyone to our home for coffee and dessert.

 

  

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19

This Kid

This Kid...

He is charismatic. He is social. He loves people. People love him. He is the star of children's time. He never stops talking. His voice can be heard from anywhere. His questions are endless. He doesn't miss a thing. He is engaging. He is thoughtful. He loves to learn. His eyes light up the room. He owns his mama's heart.