Wondering...

I sit here wondering if the fact that I drink Diet Mountain Dew with my donut actually cancels the donut out? ;)

Things that make me go Yummmmm... :)

Warning: MUSH alert. If you aren't prepared for all the mushy-ness that is about to follow in this post please close this page immediately. :)

The past couple of weeks have been story-book at the Young house. Fairy-tale. I mean, seriously. We've done everything and nothing all at the same time while perfectly balancing it all and dancing to our own tune of life. I'm just in a happy place these days. And I love my happy place. It's sooo good.

It started out a couple of weeks ago when we decided to finally do something we've talked about doing for years. Growing a garden. When we moved out of town I always envisioned a garden in this particular spot in our back yard. Just a small garden. A place where we could grow some, but just a few of our favorites. Corn, tomatoes, peppers, watermelon, Lima beans, okra, onions and broccoli. Ok, ok. Maybe it's not so small. ;)

My grandfather...bless him! He stayed a couple of days working with the boys and readying our perfect garden spot. They worked until sundown every night. But what an amazing opportunity to capture these moments!!! Beautiful.



See! Storybook! Don't say I didn't warn ya!

I watched my boys and their great-grandfather work tirelessly. Marking the perfect rows with twine and digging their perfect little rows. I watched the patience of a man who has so much experience and has done this for so many years. I watched him patiently explain to my boys what he was doing, how he was doing it and why it needed to be done that way. I know they don't realize it now but they were making memories with one of the greatest men who has ever graced the face of the earth. One day I hope they will know that.

They each had their own job and interest. Lawson planted the corn. His favorite. He wanted to know how long it would take to see corn. We already have sprouts. He checks on his corn almost daily.
Rhett tried to help too, the best way a little 20 month old can. He mainly made sure the equipment was working correctly and surveyed the ground. No one even lost their patience with him when his favorite thing to do was knock the dirt in over those perfect little rows that I've already mentioned. :)

Jagger was interested in the watermelon the most. It was his job to work up the watermelon "mounds" and plant the watermelon seed. He had a little help from my dad but he mostly did this on his own. He was so proud and says he can't wait to eat "his" watermelons!

And when the work was done what else was left to do but a celebratory dance behind their masterpiece followed with trampoline gathering that (as in pure Young boy fashion)involved wrestling, giggling, and squealing. It was the perfect end to the day as we watched the sun set and kiss their beautiful little dirt covered faces.


And each night when it was time to go inside? These are the looks that met me...

Mad little dirt covered scowls. :) And the dirt all over them? I love it. Just as a little boy enjoying life should look! :)

So, what could top that? Well for a little boy frogs trump most anything. Exactly what we found on our walk back in to the house. :)

And the next day? Small town fair! Ohhhhhh. This is so good. :)



All in one weekend. All the fun, all this perfection all rolled up into one single weekend? How is it possible? Some would say we could not possibly top that. I disagree. Proof below. :)
You see, for many, it is difficult to see the beauty in storms. And I do not doubt a storm's strength. Over the past couple of weekends we've been hit with some pretty bad and nasty storms. Storms that have done a lot of damage. But someone who has never seen the true beauty in storms has never been to our house after the passing of one.

I love these moments right after a storm where puddles are high and deep and beg of the kids to dip their toes in them. Moments where dampness still fills the air and the humidity begins to slowly creep up. The grass sparkles like diamonds and the sun shines bright and tells to us that the danger is past.
The kids splash and play and run up and down through the puddles making ripple effects in the small lakes that have formed in our driveway.
And they beg me to join. And how can you refuse that? And what would I have missed out on if I had said no?
Yes, we've done a lot of living in the past few weeks. Moments I wouldn't trade for anything.

And today? Today the story continues. It continues as I smile and think back on all of these things and how happy they've made me. My story continues as I work from my computer and glance down at my hand to catch a glimpse of a very special mother's day present from my three blessings.
It continues as I munch on way too many M&Ms while listening to my eccentric favorite playlist on iTunes that consists of Stevie Wonder, Hall and Oats, John Mayer, Police, J. Geils Band, Billy Joel, Elton John, The Cars and Fleetwood Mac and the great Michael Jackson--just to name a few. All of which make me happy. :)

And tonight...tonight I get to watch my little kindergartner graduate. I get to celebrate a wonderful first year of school with him and appreciate how he's grown and all that he's learned.

What could be better? And how did I become so blessed?

Mother's Day sentiments

With this weekend, along with rest from our weary work-week, comes a special time set aside to honor our mothers. I can't think of a better reason to celebrate.

Moms truly do rule the world, I'm convinced, and help it to spin in a more organized, efficient and lovely way. Moms are the backbone of every good thing on this planet.

The world in which I live each and every day is all because of my mom. Along with giving me life, she makes my life so very much better than it would be without her.

I'm just like so many who take their mothers for granted. Oh, sure I say please and thank you and try to tell her often how much I appreciate the lengths she goes to to take care of us. But does she really know? I'd like to hope so but I'd also like to tell her more often and in ways other than just words.

My mother is a giver. She doesn't ask for anything in return. Ever. She does simply because she loves us and it is in her very nature to do for us. My mom is special. She not only takes care of us, the ones she gave life to, but she has chosen to take on 72 college age girls as well. And she's mom to them. And she's fantastic at it. Just ask them.

They love her. They talk about her and write things on her Facebook page. They send her notes and bring her donuts in the wee hours of the mornings. They know they are free to come into her apartment to talk about school or relationship stresses. And they do. They come to her for band-aids, stopped up toilets and eggs. Just as they would their real mom. I love her so much for that. (Regardless of how much fun I make of her for stocking her fridge with eggs just in case someone might need one. :))

It is cliche I realize but my mom truly is my very best friend. We live in the same town, see each other every day, multiple times a day yet still talk two or three times on the phone each day. Excessive? No. Connected. Mom and I have so many of the same qualities, interests, mannerisms, passions. We are strong, yet emotional. Loving yet stern.

She loves with her whole heart. Her love for her grandbabies rivals my own love for them. I really don't think there's anything she wouldn't do for them. She cares for them, babysits them every afternoon, helps me bathe them, doctor them, discipline them, encourage them, teach them. And they feel it.

I knew early on, even as a little girl, what a cool mom I had. She always wore the latest fashion, her hair always styled in the latest most current, hip trend. She wore big sunglasses that I aspire to imitate, even at my age now. :)

My mom worked and worked hard. Yet, I don't ever remember feeling like I didn't see her or get to spend enough time with her. To me that says that she made every moment at home with us count. She balanced it all. Work, family, church, and on and on.

I can remember curling up in her big bed with her and being allowed to watch Dynasty, Dallas and some of the other fabulous 80's TV shows. It was special "girl time" with my mom. I felt so grown up getting to watch "big girl shows".

My mom has such a special way about her. I love her for all that she is, was, and all that she inspires me to be. I hope that one day my children feel the same way about me as I feel about my mom. I will know I've succeeded. Happy Mother's Day, Mom!