Next week........Valentine's day

For many there's the excitement of Valentine's day. I once shared in the whole hoopla and romance of Valentine's day. That all changed with the birth of my third baby, and that is because he was born exactly on Valentines day, so from then on let's just say that Valentines was replaced by Andrew's birthday. So every year, most are celebrating Valentine's, I on the other hand am celebrating the birth of one of my great loves. This child was born on the day that most describes him, a day full of love.........just like him, a child that is full of love. I can't say enough about this young man that gives so much love and happiness to all. He's my little valentine and he came at the perfect day and time. To my little valentine and many a Happy Birthday to him. Love always, MOM

Secretly Loving My Sons Pet

Today, like almost everyday, I went for a walk with my sons dog (Popeye). I usually start my morning at 7:15 and from then on I'm busy driving kids to school till 9:15 or so. That's when I come home, grab my i-pod, house key, dog leash and of course the animal (Popeye), and happily start off on a glorious walk in the glorious southern California weather. I have to admit that I am not an animal person and that I've come to realize that I am somewhat of a "user", yes indeed I accept that I use this poor animal for my selfish purposes. I never pay much attention to him during the day, I let my son be the one that gives him all the affection a dog might need, and I'm happy keeping it that way. But today as I walked with him I realized how I depend on him in some weird way; as I walk along with him on his little blue leash I come to ponder on the way I feel when I'm walking with him, and the way I feel when I don't have him. Need I say it? it feels lonely without him. Whoa! did that come out of my mouth? I actually feel lonely without Popeye? I guess I do. Walking without him is just blah, I feel lonely and insecure. Okay come on, really? what in the world would this small little dog do if anyone were to attack me? what could a dog that size possibly do? the only thing I can think of is throwing the dog at someone, but that my friends would be considered animal cruelty; so that's not happening. I wouldn't do such a thing. I live in a very safe place and there are always lots of people out there walking at the same time we do. Funny everyone knows him, as weird as that sounds, people know my dog.........my sons dog. They come up to us and say hi to him, it's like yeah people I'm just here to accompany him......he's the one that comes out for daily walks, I just tag along. Really, he's the star in our neighborhood, people know and worry about "Popeye". Okay to end this little moment of realization I just have to say that I foresee being very sad if Popeye leaves us someday, you know, go to dogie heaven. Now, I wonder, will I need a new dog to take his place? I still want to keep walking. I tell you! so selfish.

hey don't judge me! dogs love walks so he's not exactly suffering.

Baby Shower Dolly

I've been wanting to share a picture of a little pregnant dolly I made for my sisters baby shower cake. I made it out of Fondant, I've done a few cakes with fondant as the icing, but I had never done something like shaping a dolly out of it. It was a very special cake because it was for my sister who has always been extra special to me. She is due in March, and I anxiously await the arrival of her baby boy. Yes it's a Boy!! anyways, my friends, just wanted to share the pictures of little pregnant dolly. Take care, and enjoy your life and the people in it. No one is in your life by accident. Enjoy and cherish them.

Difficult Kids

Of course we all know I'm not an expert on anything, I have no titles, I have learned only what has come my way in these 15 years as a parent, but anyhow........here go my two cents worth. I recently have noticed that there are a lot of children out there who are not being disciplined as needed, and from what I've seen, these are children who definitely need it. I've seen children yelling at their parents left and right, and worst of all, I've seen children hitting their parents. How disappointing to be raising children in such an uneducated fashion. And to think that some of these parents are actually highly educated people. Is it that parents are just so darn busy making ends meet that they don't have the energy to be true parents? why is it that we are working ourselves ragged, giving our kids everything they want........except what they really need parenting. I see these families living the good life, when they are not working, and dealing with terribly unruly children. I see children being sedated for the sake of peace and tranquility for the parents. There's such an increase on ADD diagnosis, and I will tell you what the majority of it is, it's parents not wanting to deal with their active kid. Not the hyper active kid, just the average normal child who likes to play and has extra energy to burn. The child that is stuck indoors, when it's in his nature to be outside running around. If you ask our parents, they would say there was no such thing as hyper-activity in our days, and that's because we would play outside and wear out all our energy. We weren't all walking around like little zombies with our daily dose of medication. We were children at play, we were children as it was meant to be. I don't know what the future holds for those children that are now being drugged for the sake of being "good". What will the results be? what kind of adults will they grow up to be? who will get stuck giving into their every whimper? who will take over "mommy/daddy" duty? hopefully not one of my kids!!!