I have the Most Amazing Daughters

I woke up today to two posts on facebook that made me cry!! Both of my girls shared a happy father's day post.. to me!! As a single mom who willingly sacrificed everything to make sure they would be happy and well adjusted. That they would live rich and fulfilled lives for them to make such an acknowledgement made my heart sing!!

From Word Girl: Happy Father's Day mom, you did a good job thanks for takin on two jobs.

From Blond Girl: Happy Father's Day Mom. Your kids are awesome, so you must have done a good job.








And they say parents are never rewarded!  

Hair Boy Turns 25!

It's hard to believe that 25 years ago today( my entire world changed... This ugly baby that looked more like ET than his father or me came into the world.. Yeah I know what a horrid thing for a mother to say.. But it's the truth, he was ugly.. Really.. ok.. back to the story..

My heart grew ten sizes that day plus infinity and beyond.. who knew this ET baby would become the source of so much joy and pride? Ok, so every other person to have ever had a child but still.

My child of wonder and music.. always with a unique question and an interesting way of viewing the world. At three he asked me..

Hair Boy: Mommy where does God live?

Me: He lives inside of us

Hair Boy: How can he live inside of everyone?

Me: He is God honey, you have to take things on faith....

Pause............

Hair Boy: Oh I get it, A Piece of God lives in everyone..

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

at 15 with his best friend and I

Me: I assumed that ....

Best Friend: You know what happens when you assume don't you?

Hair Boy: Yeah, it killed the cat

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hair Boy and PITA Boy

Always on the fringes creating his own world.. watching, considering then off to do his thing.. Never a leader nor a follower just hearing his own drum!

My musician, my logical, silly, smart, funny, off kilter, unique son.. an amazing brother and a wonderful friend.. But best of all... My gift from God

Love ya sweetie and happy quarter of a century.. Unlike my mom, I am not going to give you diamonds to celebrate the day..

Hair Boy and PITA Boy

Hair Boy and Word Girlan amazing brother  

Hair Boy and Word Girl

Hair Boy and Blond Girl

Hair Boy and Blond Girl

 

Mothers and Daughters

Mothers and Daughters.. This has to be the single most unique bond in your life. More so than Fathers and Sons.. This of course being said by a Mother and Daughter.. *grins*

The dynamics of a female/female relationship can be loving, argumentative  supportive, critical, encouraging, discouraging and powerful.. most of them at the same time. It is the epidamy of the love/hate relationship. Most of us seriously NEVER want to be like our mothers (no matter how good of a job they did raising us) but as soon as we grow up, it's our Mother's voice coming out of our mouths.

What we learn from our mothers...

Positive:

1. We learn that we can do anything we want
2. We learn that we are the power in the home
3. We learn that our brains have to be used on a regular basis
4. We learn that our Grandma is perfect
5. We learn that there will always be someone there who loves you unconditionally
6. We learn how to stack the dishes, fold the towels, fold the laundry a specific way
7. We learn life lessons through daily exposure (my mother taught us fractions through cooking)

Negatives:

1. We learn that not only can we do anything we want, most of the time we will have to do everything
2. We learn that sometimes it's easier to control others than to work with them
3. We learn that sometimes we have to hide our intelligence to make sure others feel secure
4. We learn that sometimes we can control those we love with guilt..
5. We learn that constructive criticism is still criticism
6. We learn that sometimes it's easier to give in and avoid a fight rather than following our dreams    

Mothers aren't perfect.. and each relationship is different.. Not just the ones we have with other mothers and daughters but those we have in our own households.. 

My mother and sister have a great relationship, they can spend time together, do things together.. My sister goes home every summer and my mom visits her frequently.. me not so much.. Our relationship is just as good, just as strong.. but it works best when we only talk when she calls me (usually every couple of months because she realizes we haven't spoken recently) I know that sounds horrid.. but it's not.. because of this we have a strong bond, can have pleasant conversations and I can usually hang up politely... *grins* 

My daughters and I both have unique relationships as well.. 

• Word Girl and I bicker, fight and struggle for control.. oh this didn't start when she went away to college, nope I think she was TWO.. honestly, this girl may be a snuggler and a sweetie but she needs to be in charge.. *rolls eyes* and we frequently but heads about this. There are times when she tries roll reversal.. my personal favorite was when she was in HS and looked at me and said "You know, Mom, I don't like your tone" Seriously? Still makes me laugh.. Believe me I responded appropriately and she never made that comment again.. 
• Blond Girl and I have a more soothing relationship. She doesn't have that need for control, probably because she spent her life growing up around Word Girl and myself.. But honestly she and I have spent time together, outings, we read similar books, we discuss things and most often we don't but heads.. does this make my relationship better? Stronger? nah.. it just is what it is.. 

I adore both of my girls and am so incredibly proud of them.. I can not wait to see what kind of mothers they turn out to be.. I have an idea but I could be way off base.

I know I am so very proud of my mother and the woman she is.. I know because of her I

1. Love to Read
2. Love the beach
3. Have a curious mind
4. Believe that I can be anything I want (as long as it's her idea and she approves *grins)
5. Believe That no one and I mean no one is better than anyone else
6. Am tolerant 
7. Am the woman I am right now...

Watching other mothers and daughters sometimes we yearn for what they have.. DON'T.. I suggest you look beyond the surface and see if you want the negatives that go along with that "perfect" relationship.. Because believe me they are there and yes, they can be some doozies.. 

I have been thinking of my absolutely PERFECT daughters and this came to mind.. I hope you all are as blessed with your daughters (yes and mothers) as I am with mine

Shauni

Thinking of Blond Girl

Saw this on Yahoo today.. made me think of my girl!!  

GO COWBOYS!!

It Happened Today

That day every parent dreams of/Dreads.. My last child moved out. Yep PITA Boy has gone and started his new life. Now both of my sons had a harder time leaving than my girls..

Hair Boy went to college sure but when it was time to leave he stayed a bit just to make sure I would be ok. I finally had to tell him to go live his own life..

Word Girl went to college, I always thought she would come back but she never did. I think since she left 3 1/2 years ago she has been home maybe 30 days.

Blond Girl left knowing she was in essence moving out. Even if she was just going off to college. I have plans to move on myself. But my girl left last fall ready for her next adventure.

I had always said when she left so would I so PITA Boy knew it was time to start looking. He had plans to leave last fall but has actually stayed home to help me out. But now it's time.. Time for this unique young man to find his own way. His first step is to move to Macomb, where Word Girl goes to school. He will be getting a job and taking some classes. He is considering either law enforcement or paramedic. He of course holds on his back burner that dream of becoming a director. That will happen or it won't I just know I will always nourish his dreams.

I am excited for him!! I really am but it's harder than I thought watching the last one leave. I just have such big dreams for my kids (all of which include them having wonderful and exciting lives with the choices they make). I raised them to leave now they are all gone and I am befuddled.

This blog will be taking a major overhaul.. After all I am no longer Juggling anything, let alone teens.. I mean I only have one teen, wow! And she's an adult living her own life.

I did it all!! I raised four fabulous individuals who are off living their own adventures.. Now I get to start mine!!

Shauni

Happy Easter

It's Been Brought to My Attention

I was speaking with PITA Boy the other day and he pointed out that I seriously needed to change the name of this blog. After all, I no longer have four teenagers.. Nope I have three twenty somethings and one teenager.. 

Of course Blond Girl has pointed out that I seriously needed to consider changing the names for my children. After all calling her blond girl is rather demeaning after all these years.. After all she didn't do anything to earn that name. I beg to differ but I didn't bother explaining. 

So, I am trying to find new names.. For the blog and for the individuals discussed.. 

Any Suggestions?