Kaleidoscope

I've never liked kaleidoscopes. They hurt my eyes. The chaos makes me uncomfortable. Looking at them makes me feel physically tired.

Somehow, I've begun to feel like I have a lot in common with a kaleidoscope.

There are so many parts.....just like life.

All the parts don't always make sense by themselves. Black, green, purple, blue, orange.....

Work, problems, kids, marriage, church, friends, self...........

But they com together and make something that, despite my discomfort, is beautiful.

In the recent past, I spent at least a year in what I finally labeled a "mini identity crisis". After years of submerging myself in raising three young children, they were all in school. I had started a career, and had to end it. Martha Stewart housewife, definitely not my thing......I couldn't figure out what to do with myself..........

Then slowly, like the turning of a kaleidoscope, the picture began to change. I found a new job, one that allowed me to work within the field I am passionate about, as well as be with my children when they were home. I re involved myself in the kids' activities, under new labels, "cheer sponsor", "chauffeur", "counselor". The years I had spent investing in the development of my son took on a new dimension. My wonderful husband and I started relating in a new and even more wonderful way....... Oh yeah, and I remembered myself, not in the dark, self-involved, whats wrong with me way I had been, but just somehow, casually, bumped into myself along the road.

Oh....I remember you......didn't we know each other once?

What happened?

I'm not really sure. Yesterday I took a day off, a real one. I sat in a chair, watched Law and Order marathons mixed in with Paranormal State, and realized that I. Was. So. Tired. A good tired. The kind of tired that comes when you've been going hard and stop to catch your breath, and know that you will start right back up where you left off.

Not to0 long ago, I blogged about the difficult circumstances that we have been experiencing. That is the craziest part, life hasn't gotten any easier. I've just somehow come to terms with living it again.......

.....and even though it hurts my eyes, and the chaos makes me tired.....just like the kaleidoscope....

it is so beautiful.

Cancer

This woman......

is fighting cancer......

She WILL win.

Fight on friend!

Here It Is

These are what I ended up ordering today in the actual colors shown. They are all from Newport News, I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

What Do You Think?

These are the swimsuits I'm thinking of ordering. I want your opinions. Be brutally honest.
Also the white one will be espresso brown, the purple will be black and the burgundy will be purple. Hope that's clear as mud!



......and yes, I know wearing the swimsuit won't make me look like the models do :)

Also, I'm thinking something like this for the actual wedding...

Spring Break...And Other Ramblings

The first official day of Spring Break and I don't have a single thing to feed the masses for breakfast, fearing a peasant uprising, I did the only thing that a sane person could do........I went to McDonald's!




that last picture would be my 12 year-old texting during breakfast....because I finally gave in.

Mexico update:
I have officially begun to panic (those of you who know me well are not surprised). While very excited about my upcoming tropical vacation, there is a slight problem. I don't wear anything that shows my arms or legs.....ever. I haven't worn a bathing suit outside of my mother-in-law's back yard in the last 5 years. Last, but certainly not least, I am a shade of white that could be used for reflective purposes during nighttime activities! I have eight weeks to pull myself together. That could happen.....right?

Spring

It is Spring Break!!!!! My children and I are more than ready for a week of relaxation and slowing down. When we go back to school it will be time for cheer try-outs and softball season.

....and when May rolls around Big D and I are heading to Playa Del Carmen for a seven-day holiday with beaches and umbrella drinks (thanks to the upcoming wedding of our friends.)!!!!
WE ARE SOOOOOO READY FOR A VACATION! COME ON SPRING!

Now shut-up Cassie :)

Bad Mom Award

I deserve an award. A big. Fat. Award. For the worst mom EVER. I noticed, while helping my son get ready for church yesterday, that his shoes looked like they were stretched over his feet. I felt for his toe and found it, almost poking through the end of his shoe. Reaching back in time, I tried desperately to find a memory of buying his last pair of shoes. Found it. Before Disney World......a year ago. We bought him new shoes yesterday afternoon. He chose them.

Sign me up for worst mom of the year.