Life in the Slow Lane

Why am I being handed Christmas lists already? It's way. Too. Early. I have way bigger things to think about(um wedding in 13 days!), and spending an obscene amount of money on items that wind up sitting in a closet until at least July is not a priority. I can remember asking for things when I was younger, and getting maybe 1 of the items on my list. My dad would give my mom a very tight budget for Christmas shopping, and she stuck to it. I got some nice items that I still have, but the list was usually out the window. So why is it so different these days? I find myself making sure I got everything on the lists, and then some. I save up for half a year to top the previous Christmas, and I'm pretty sure the kids now expect it. Which is why this year I'm all about operation 'scale back.' Sure, I was ticked when that Strawberry Shortcake doll wasn't under the tree, but I was grateful for what was. We were taught that you don't get everything you want, and there...

Can it really be? My baby is 10? TEN.....it just doesn't seem possible. Ten years ago I only saw 4th of July fireworks from a hospital window. Ten years ago I was just a girl who wanted a baby more than anything in life, not knowing what an emotional roller coaster it would be. Ten years ago I wasn't even half the woman I am now, because nothing has ever made me grow up or evolve more than having Chris. Ten years ago I didn't know how great life would be ten years later. Chris is an amazing young man, with an incredibly bright future ahead. I know I sometimes expect way too much from him, but its hard not to knowing how absorbent and grand his brain is. He has dreams of being a marine biologist, magician, and the guy who cures cancer. Whatever his path and life, may he be happy and healthy throughout his journey. Happy 10th Birthday, Christopher. I hope today is a great start to your year ahead! xoxo                         ...

I hear that comment all the time. Have since I was young actually. I was never the gal that slept my day away. My parents got up early, so it just became habit. But with the habit came some clarity of why people get up early. To me, the early hours are the best, most important part of the day. Sure it's coffee time on the porch, but its also bonding time with the family. My guy leaves for work at 7, so that one or two hours before he leaves is a time to relax before the hurry, talk, and watch nature from the porch together. We have some of our best conversations at 5am when we are recharged! And my boys. They are early risers for sure, since they were born. Our early morning hours together are lovely. They are still quiet from just waking, and not fighting. But they are also so sweet, and cuddly. We might watch tv in bed, hang on the porch, or just sit at the dining room table. Wherever we are, it's our time of day to really connect. Spending that extra time together also sets ...

Why does time seem to go so quickly? It never did when the kids were tiny, the days seemed to be endless. Each year goes just a bit faster than the last. I love to tell the kids to hurry up and get tall so we can ride more coasters, get a little older so we can do more fun family things, but today, when my baby is turning 8, I just want time to come to a complete stand still. I have such vivid memories of being in the hospital with my sister, patiently waiting for my sweet baby. We ate donuts, watched tv, and laughed all night. Now eight years later, I ran upstairs this morning to be sure to be the first to say Happy Birthday, and his bright eyes made my whole day. He is becoming such a wonderful young man. So kind, polite, and compassionate. I'm proud of all of the strides he has made this year and every year before, and he has changed me in more ways than I ever thought possible. Sorry if I'm sounding a bit sappy today, 8 just seems like a turning point from little t...

I am so thankful my kids are not major whiners. Pretty sure I wouldn't be able to handle that. The other day in a shoe store I actually heard a girl(maybe 4 years old) scream at the top of her lungs, "I WANT HEELS, AND I/M NOT LEAVING WITHOUT THEM! " Waaah. How Carrie Bradshaw of her, but also, how freakin' ridiculous . And the best part? Dad was negotiating with her and eventually when I left was in the heel section with her. Kid-1, Dad-0. When did we become a society of give ins? I used to laugh when people would say 'when I was young...' And thought it was just good storytelling. But now I find myself saying that a lot. When I was young, my parents would have NEVER put up with a whine like that in a store. They would not bargain, they would not negotiate. No was no , and you knew better than to ask again. I knew better for sure. I not only respected my dad, but was terrified of him as well. There was no 'maybe' or 'we'll see', it ...

When did you stop coloring? I know some of us have little ones running around, so we pick up a crayon here and there, but I mean REALLY coloring. Like outlining the pictures first, getting all those little details color-coordinated and ready for the grand prize coloring. Probably too long ago is your answer.  Coloring is a wonderful creative outlet for children. Inside/outside the lines, things can be whatever color they choose. But what about the part of it that is so mindless? No thinking required other than color choice. It's a great bonding time for parent/child, sitting and chatting while coloring, admiring each others pictures. All too often we are swiping tablets(or even coloring on them!), and missing out on some of the simple things with our children. Don't you remember opening the brand new box of 64 crayons and hoping they always stayed as sharp and lovely as they were in that moment? The other day I was waiting for some school stuff to print out, and ther...

READ ME FIRST! Before I even go into this post, please reread my thoughts from last year. It's pretty much what I wanted to say today, but if you missed it, check it on out! Today is Autism Awareness Day. Wild to think that just a handful of years back, there was no one day to show support. Most people weren't even 'aware'! Now sadly, because Autism has covered such a large amount of ground, many people have become more aware, more educated, and more considerate of Autism. Sure, we have a long way to go(I'm going to just assume some people will always be ignorant), but baby steps. The numbers have only gotten worse. Still 1 in 88 children will be diagnosed, but a whopping 1 in 54 will be boys . What's being done? My family and I have raised many thousands of dollars for research over the years, hopefully that is helping to shed new light on the world of Autism. But again, that parent 'feeling', that feeling that something is just 'off...

My kids are lazzzzzy. There's really no way to say that nicely, it's just a fact. They like to sit on the couch, watch tv, and if they could, I'm sure they would ring a bell for me to bring snacks. What am I to do?  I know it's partially mostly my fault. I've babied them to what seems like a point of no return. We are Italian, and they are mama's boys! I know in hindsight they should have had more responsibility early on, but I must just go forward from here. I should have known what kind of enabler of lazy I would be by looking at my dog . She never learned any tricks, and she's at a point in her life now where we carry her up and down stairs inside and outside, and she is totally spoiled. Oh, maybe that's a better word than lazy? Spoiled? Well the buck stops here kiddies. Mama is already on top of things using my trusty old pal Pinterest . I'm gathering some great ideas for helping around the house, chores, and something I should have fig...