My Baby's All Grown Up!!

That's right...my oldest son, Austin, is 18 today!!  He joked last night that he wanted to see me cry this morning before he left for school (he seems to think it's funny when his old mom cries over 'silly stuff').  Well, I was too busy fussing at my youngest to get his tail in gear so that they could leave for school on time...the realization that my oldest son is legally an adult today didn't hit until after they left for school.  And yes, the tears came.  lol 

I have to say that being a parent has been the hardest and most rewarding thing for me--ever.  To be perfectly honest, I still have days...lots of them...when I question my parenting abilities.  I have no idea what the heck to do with my boys sometimes.  I guess that's what happens when you start having kids at an early age...you have all the love in the world for your child, but no earthly idea how to raise them.  I was 16 when I got pregnant with Austin and 17 when I had him.  Our family has always struggled along and I've always done what I could, when I could and as best as I could.  My only hope is that I have prepared my amazingly sweet and caring son to be a happy, healthy and productive member of our community.  I know I've been hard on him, but it's only been in an effort to teach him.  My fingers are crossed that as he finishes his senior year of high school and starts making adult decisions, he makes good ones that will keep him on the path to happiness.

So, I love you, Austin and I'm off to make your brownie cake and get things together for your Chicken Alfredo for dinner!!  Happy Birthday!!

A New Year With New Goals!

Oh my goodness...has it really been 6 months since I updated this blog??!!  I guess that's what happens when you're in nursing school, studying for the NCLEX and looking for a job.  The good news is...I'm through with nursing school and am now a Registered Nurse at one of our local hospitals.  I've been there for right at 8 weeks and as of next week, I'm off orientation and on my own!!  So exciting and so scary, all at the same time!

Today is my youngest son's birthday.  Cole is 7 today and magically, all his size 6 jeans are too short for him today!!  Ok, so he's been out of school for 3 weeks and has mainly been in play clothes and pjs, so they've probably not fit him for a few weeks and I just didn't realize it.  It was kinda odd to have to scurry around on his 7th birthday to locate a pair of size 7s that I'd stock piled during an Old Navy $10 jean sale. 

So, Happy Birthday, Cole!!  I love you and hope that your day got better today!!

With the last few years being so hectic, I'm looking forward to 2013 being a year where I can sit back and enjoy life a little more.  I've got a few goals for this year...I want to spend more time and make more memories w/my family...I want to scrapbook more to preserve those memories...I want to lose the rest of the weight that I need to...I want to get more organized. 

I figure that one day at a time, I can reach these goals this year!!

Until next time..............