Another Year Older, Another Year Wiser

It's official.  I'm now closer to 40 than to 30.  Can't say I'm loving that but age is just a number, right?  RIGHT?  Although I guess that doesn't make me feel much better, even if it is just a number since there are many days I feel like a ninety year old woman lately.

Anyway, so while I've got the aging part down, I'm still working on the wiser.  I'd like to think I've grown as a person over the past year.  While I have to admit that my temper, stubbornness and pessimistic side still get the best of me now and then, I'm tying to engage in less negativity, choose the people around me wisely and know when to walk away from things.  I'm trying to keep the bigger picture in focus and let go of the menial things that get in the way.  Even though it isn't always easy, my friends are helping me put and keep things in perspective as I'm watching them fight the bigger battles with cancer. 

While I'm not one for making resolutions or setting big goals, my wish for the coming year is the same as it always is.  I wish that my family remains healthy, we find happiness in our daily lives, and continue to grow both as a family and individuals.

Wordless Wednesday: Great Wolf Lodge

Our Weekend at Great Wolf Lodge

Let Me Vacation In Peace

Our family picks up and travels a lot more often than many families that I know.  We aren't world travelers, most of our destinations are within a 4 hour drive from our home, but I like to change my scenery and explore someplace new when we have the chance.  In fact, we just got home from a weekend away. 

I bet you think the rest of this post is going to tell you about the fabulous weekend we had. 

It's not.

It's to whine about how I got no sleep because parents felt it was appropriate to leave their children unattended to run like a pack of wild animals through the hallways at all hours of the day and night. 

And now?  Now I'm going to ask you why parents think this is appropriate. 

I get it, vacation is for kicking back, relaxing and not being so strict with the rules.  But mayhem?  That isn't so much fun.  When  you throw all rules out the window it affects others around you.  It isn't like the door to my hotel room is like the door on the vault to Fort Knox.  So please, take pity on your neighbors and remember to keep your voices down, don't slam the doors, and please, please, please, teach your children some hotel etiquette.  This mom will thank you very much. 

Looking Up

I was looking at my eleven year old son yesterday and noticed he shot up again.  Honestly, I just don't know when this kid stops growing.  It seems every few weeks he is an inch or two taller.  But something was different this time. 

This time he wasn't just taller, he was taller than me.  

I knew this day was coming, I am only a petite 5'1" tall, 5'2" if I stand real tall with some shoes on.  I've also been preparing us both for this day since he was about 5 years old, reminding him that just because he gets bigger than me doesn't mean anything changes in this parent-child paradigm; I'm still the boss. 

But still.

Somehow I just wasn't ready for this shift.  While I'm not quite looking up to him just yet, that day is coming. 

And soon. 

If someone has the secret for slowing down time, this mom would appreciate it greatly.  My kids are literally growing before my eyes and I'm just not ready for it all.