Little Insights

Why Does This Have to Be

2012-05-25T20:19:29Z

I am standing here at the edge of the Earth

Where the land melts into the sea

In disbelief at what this world has come to be

Children turned beggars

Hungry.

Hun-gry.

Crying in solace

As the crops, they die

Tainted by greed

It's what lies within

The powers that be --

Their hands washed with sin

Taking bribes.

Letting businesses win

while children suffer

suffering within.

Their wretched hearts have turned to stone--

Blood runs cold.

Their blood runs cold,

with pockets filled.

Yet children starve

and do without

without a doubt.

So why should this be?

Why does this have to be?

Oh mercy,

Mercy,

Mercy me.

Why, oh why does this have to be?

©Stephanie/LittleInsights2012

The Dave Matthews Band -- Seriously the BEST Live Show (And my favorite band, in case you didn't know)

2012-05-25T19:36:16Z

On the 18th my hubs and I enjoyed a fabulous date night, complete with dinner at Kita, Japanese restaurant (http://www.kitawoodlands.com/) where I had their fantastic Ahi Tuna Steak while my hubs chose their braised leg of lamb. Both dishes, while as different as night and day were absolutely fabulous. If you haven't tried them, I highly recommend popping in to try one of their many fantastic menu items.

After dinner, we enjoyed a nice walk along the Woodlands Waterway and a bottle of Dreaming Tree (http://www.dreamingtreewines.com). All of the wines are outstanding, but our favorite has to be "Crush". It is a warm, blended red wine that is extremely smooth on the palate an pairs easily with any meal or enjoy alone.

Opening for The Dave Matthews Band this year was Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. Although we opted for a walk and a glass of wine their performance was easily heard from outside the pavilion. Their music is pretty damn good, I must admit. If you haven't checked them out you should.

The hubs and I had a little chuckle as we waited in line to enter the pavilion as we watched everyone pass through their security. Each person entering was asked to turn around, turn out their pockets, open their purses... The guy in front of us was less than enthused. To lighten the mood I told him to enjoy it, just take it all in, savor that moment. My hubs kindly reminded him that the search could involve a rubber glove. The guy said that he thought we lived in America, land of the free. "That was years ago, those days are gone.", I reminded him. It is what it is.

I love the energy in the air as Dave Matthews takes the stage. This band plays and conveys their message with such passion and conviction. You feel EVERY. SINGLE. beat, EVERY. SINGLE. word. EVERY SINGLE ounce of passion that they pour into each performance.

This years set list at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion included:

Opening-

1. Big Eyed Fish

Followed by-

2. Funny the Way It Is

3. Grace Is Gone

4. Eh Hee

5. Seven

6. #41

7. Beach Ball

8. Don't Drink the Water

9. Mercy (First time this song was performed as a full band)

10. Gaucho (First time this song was performed as a full band)

11. Sweet (First time this song was performed as a full band)

12. Crush

13. You Never Know

14. You and Me

15. Stay or Leave

16. Pantala Naga Pampa

17. Rapunzel

Encore-

18. Squirm

19.Grey Street

If you haven't seen DMB live, you are truly missing an amazing show. The only concert that I have ever seen that is comparable to their show was Pink Floyd's in 1994. You walk away from their concert wanting more. Not because they didn't give you enough, but because their performance resonantes such energy and passion that you can never get enough.

I Know! I Know! I've Been Missing in Action....

2012-05-18T05:37:04Z

I'm ba-ack!

I know that I have been missing in action for far too long. Truth be told I needed to take a break to really collect my thoughts and re-track my derailed train. Okay, so....my whole train wasn't derailed, but I must admit that after having my second miscarriage in as many years threw me for a loop.

Sometime life isn't "fair", sometimes things aren't what we "want", but they simply are what they are and they are meant to be for that exact moment. I needed to take that moment and remind myself of that.

After sharing that loss with you all I was asked by a very near and dear member of my family why I share those intimate details of my life. The answer that spilled from my heart and continues to ring true to this day is that this blog is real. Plain and simple. I don't sugar coat my feelings or opinions. I son't hide the things that I have experienced. If you have joined me on this journey, well...you have joined me. The good, the bad, the ugly and the majority of the moments that will literally take your breath away.

In suffering not one, but three miscarriages I felt that it was important to shed light on my experience in order to help others. Somewhere, at this very moment a mother-to-be is no longer feeling the life inside her growing and thriving. Somewhere, right now a mother-to-be is learning that her baby's heart no longer beats. Somewhere that mom to be is learning the same news that I learned. It would be a huge disservice and injustice to those moms to be who experience those types of losses for me to remain silent.

That is why I write.

That is why I blog.

That is why I open my life to you and and allow you to join me through times of bliss and times of grief.

I write from the heart and hope that you, my readers are inspired through my words.

I feel like the loss of a pregnancy should not go unnoticed, while at the same time, you can't let those moments define your life in a negative way. I don't believe in pity. What I do believe in, is that in those moments of sadness you dig deep and rebuild yourself even stronger that what you were before.

I took this moment of loss and decided to transform my life even further.

From the moment I became a mom, I always put my children and my family before myself. ALWAYS. Without fail. I'd make any sacrifice in order to have more time with my children. I was tiny once upon a time. A size zero, to be exact. I watched my body grow and change to accommodate the precious lives that would thrive within my body. I embraced those changes lovingly. As a matter of fact, I have NEVER in my life felt more gorgeous than those moments when I am bursting at the seams with a life growing inside of me.

As the days crept past after our recent pregnancy loss I spoke with my wonderful mother-in-law. She reminded me of her first baby, who would be delivered too early and whom she would have to say goodbye to before she was ever able to hold. She wanted to fill that void and became pregnant again. She nearly lost that pregnancy, but was able to, under watchful eye deliver successfully. My sister-in-law was born premature. She was advised at that point, nearly forty years ago that her body needed to rest. She heeded her doctors warnings and waited several years before trying to conceive again. Her final pregnancy which resulted in the birth of my husband was her "best" pregnancy.

All of this struck a serious chord with me and I decided that it was time to focus on myself a little bit. It was time to shed my pregnancy pounds from the pregnancies that weren't meant to be and become the healthiest me that I can possibly be.

In that time of loss I embraced the idea of rebirth. The rebirth of me -- What I want to be for my children, for my husband and most of all for ME. I will take this opportunity to grow me. Good Lord willing, perhaps I will be lucky enough to one day grow another little life inside of me, but for the moment I will grow me.

*****To be continued*****

I Am Not Even Making This Up!

2012-03-31T20:07:15Z

I had to pop into Hobby Lobby for a couple items today (Yes, Hobby Lobby and just a couple of items....sad, I know) . Anyway, I made my way to the register with my whopping four items, placed them on the counter and engaged in conversation with the cashier. As we enjoyed our chit-chat we couldn't help but notice a foul-mouthed, lippy, nine or ten year old girl who kept smarting off to her mother. Her mother informed her that, "It wasn't her first rodeo and that she should wait there." (Pointing to a place away from where she was standing.) The girl became affixed on the candy selection just within reach. At that time she turned to her mother and said, "Hey! Why don't you buy me one of these to shut me up?".

HOLY HELLO KITTY! Did? She? Just? Speak? To? Her? Mother? THAT? Way???

I just kind of paused in amazement, my cashier and I both did.

I quickly picked my jaw off of the floor, gathered my bags and scurried out to the car, still stunned by the behavior and demands of that ill-mannered little girl. Had that been me as a kid I think I would have been lucky to be able to sit down for a week after that shenanigans.

Not the News I Had Hoped to Share....

2012-03-30T04:36:50Z

I just knew that things would be different this time.

I gave my body what is normally considered to be an optimal amount of time after a miscarriage before trying to conceive.

In early February my monthly visitor never arrived. I started to feel that giddiness that you feel during early pregnancy. I took one test, which was negative, waited a few days and took another test. It was positive! I want to say that I was over-the-moon excited, but I was nervous after having had a miscarriage. After a quick discussion with my husband we decided to only tell our oldest son. He can wrap his head around the idea that things may not work out as we'd hope and after our last miscarriage and the disappointment that the other kids felt when we lost that pregnancy we felt that it would be better to just let him know. I felt fabulous. The nausea was welcomed, the tiredness, the cravings and aversions, all of those feelings were welcomed. I did, however decide to wait until I knew that we'd be able to see the baby and heartbeat before I went to the doctor. I went in for my first appointment at 7 weeks and 2 days, where the normal labs and information was taken. The doctor called back and told me that my HCG levels were huge. She felt that I was either further along or that I was pregnant with multiples. My heart raced with excitement. My labs were fantastic. I wanted to be excited, but I was still scared. She ordered an ultrasound for the very next morning. I went to bed feeling blessed and thankful and overwhelmed with joy.

The next morning I woke up early and headed off to my ultrasound appointment. I laid down on the table, anxiously awaiting the moment when I'd hear our babies heartbeat for the first time. The ultrasound tech took all of her normal measurements before announcing that she could see the fetal pole. She paused. You are measuring 6 weeks and 3 days, she said. She continued, I do not see a heartbeat.

I honestly felt a bit numb at that moment. My previous miscarriages were what are called blighted ovums, where a gestational sac or sacs are present, but a baby isn't present. This time a baby was present. One that grew for only 6 weeks and 3 days and just stopped growing. My doctors office called a bit later and explained that I should expect to miscarry yet again.

I cannot begin to pretend that I was not disappointed. I even, for a week or two thought that somehow they were wrong. You'd understand why I felt this way had I already blogged the story of my pregnancy with Hayden. As disappointed as I was and really still kind of am I know that and believe that everything truly happens for a reason. This little one was not meant to be. It is just that simple and I will accept it for what it is.

Please forgive me if I have seemed unproductive in my posts. I have taken the time necessary to wrap my head around all of this. Now, I am back. Thanks for stickin' by me through thick and thin. I truly love my readers, whether you are family, friends or folks who are simply joining me on my journey.

I Love Him, But Sometimes He Seriously Must be on Crack!

2012-03-13T21:11:47Z

I am grouchy today.

Why, you ask?

I am grouchy because I love my husband with all of my heart and soul, but sometimes he is seriously on crack! When I go grocery shopping I buy the staple items that we use to make our regular meals, I buy a few healthy treats here and there. Sometimes beforehand we discuss trying a new recipe and I pick up those items. I am pretty much thorough in my grocery shopping. That being said, there are "those days", you know the days that you suddenly find yourself staring at a pantry and refrigerator that are both filled with plenty of yummy things; none of which you desire to eat at all. Today was "that" day. I looked at my selections. They were plentiful, but the very idea of eating any of it made my tummy turn. I felt physically ill when I thought of eating any of it. Instead, I wanted egg rolls. I don't buy egg rolls. We rarely eat them. Today, however that is all that sounded good to me.

I texted my darling husband to ask him if he could pick some up from the store on his way home from work. He kindly told me that I should plan out our menus a bit better. Wait! What?

I know. I know. There are some of you exceptionally gifted women who plan out monthly menus and do not waiver from what the menu says. I simply am not that exceptional in that department. I rarely have much of an appetite, especially not one that is so perfectly spot-on that I can write out a menu of what I'd like to eat exactly three days from now, not to mention four weeks from now. And, today, at this very moment I want egg rolls.

Egg rolls!

Egggggggggg ROLLLLLLLLLS!

If I were a persnickety toddler you better believe I would have thrown myself onto the floor, pouted and screamed those last few lines.

Please tell me I am not alone on this one and that there are a million more of you who want certain things on a crazy whim, that could not have been predicted a month ago.

Tookie's Gets Rave Reviews!!

2012-02-27T18:28:38Z

Our long awaited, much anticipated visit to Tookie's scored high marks from my husband, kiddos and of course myself. We've been putting off our visit to this long-time favorite eatery since its grand opening, because as a family of six with a wheelchair bound kiddo who is often a wee bit on the loud side doesn't bode well in overly crowded restaurants. We also try to visit during "off hours" so that in case Tori becomes a little vocal we are certain to NOT interrupt other diners.

Allow me to take a step back and bring a few of you up to speed.

My sister and I used to accompany our family to Tookie's when we were knee-high to ducklings. I can remember the way Tookie's smelled as soon as we walked through the doors as the smell of handmade burgers greeted you. I can vividly remember the decor which was very familiar to what you'd see Picker's picking from yard sales and their like -- Old light posts, street lights (One in particular featured a blue light). I loved the feeling as a kid. I loved seeing the beads of sweat form on my dad's head as he'd savor every bite of the spicy Stomp's Icehouse burger. I knew that thing just had to be hot and have yet to take that one on (although last night I was tempted). Let's put aside the fabulous burgers and get right to the onion rings for just a second. These are by far the best onion rings that I had ever experienced as a child.

Along came hurricane Ike a few years ago, which engulfed Tookie's, a low-lying restaurant nestled in the coastal town of Seabrook, Texas with what must've been four to five feet of water. The doors swung closed and NEVER reopened for what seemed like way too long. I suppose the old owner's were consumed and overwhelmed by the massive undertaking that putting everything back together again must've been. In steps Barry Terrell, who clearly had a vision of bringing this staple eatery back to life. Work was underway and the building was gutted and rebuilt, while still lending itself to shed the same vibe that it always did. The Tookie's yellow and green still greets each guests the way it always did and the doors swung open for business.

We'd pass by countless times after the grand opening. Each time the parking lot was PACKED. Cars and people wrapped around the building. You could feel the love and just knew that everything had to be just as delicious as it once was.

Last night was THE NIGHT. We arrived at nearly eight o'clock, well past the rush of the dinner crowd, entered the building and were greeted in perfect Tookie's fashion. Whisked off to our table, the smells that I remembered as a child wafted up to greet each of us. Vicki, our server greeted us promptly. Service was fantastic and the food was beyond amazing. Everyone picked their burger of choice very quickly, while I was stuck on my choice. Did I choose the #99? Did I dare to try the Stomp's Icehouse burger in honor of my dad who passed away a couple of years ago and would never savor that burger again? Ultimately I could not resist the BBQ burger. Folks, I made the perfect choice and was beyond satisfied. There is something to be said for a fabulous burger, terrific onion rings, both enjoyed in a laid back atmosphere that takes you back to your childhood days.

I must say that, with over twenty-five years combined in the restaurant industry my husband and I aren't easily impressed with most of our dining experiences. In this instance, however everything was spot on.

If you haven't visited Tookie's since its reopening today's the day and if today won't work, go tomorrow. Suffice to say we'll be back again and again and again and again......

(We actually dined at Tookie's last week. It was just brought to my attention that this post did not publish accordingly to my blog. Good news, the burgers, fries and onion rings are still fabulous, stop reading, start driving!!)

Things that make you go, "HMMMMMM!"

2012-02-18T00:09:39Z

This is a VERY true conversation I just had with an ordinarily EXTREMELY bright teenage boy who is the son of a friend of mine. I have known this child for literally ALL of his life and he is a staple in our home, so when I say he is bright, I am not making it up and I didn't just hear it second hand.

Their family was heading our way for a planned dinner and family game night this evening. Apparently while out running errands he dozed off in the car. One final stop before making their way here was to stop by their house. My friend ran into the house while her son was still napping in the car. I called to let them know when dinner would be ready, but was unable to reach my friend, so I decided I'd call her son.

When he answered he explained that he was in the car and that he'd apparently fallen asleep.

I told him to go in and let his mom know that dinner would be ready in about twenty minutes.

He said he couldn't get out of the car.

I said, "What?".

"The doors are locked.", he replied.

Unlock the door and open the door.", I said.

Him - "I can't.

Me - "What do you mean you can't?"

Him - "The alarm will go off."

Me - "Uhm, okay your mom has the keys, who cares if the alarm goes off. She can turn it off."

Him - "I'll just stay in the car."

Me - "Uhm, okay. I'll see you guys in a bit."

Please, Dear Lord tell me that he was sleep talking! LOL! What a nut -- A very bright nut!!

Things that make you go, "HMMMMMM!"

2012-02-18T00:09:39Z

When he answered he explained that he was in the car and that he'd apparently fallen asleep.

I told him to go in and let his mom know that dinner would be ready in about twenty minutes.

He said he couldn't get out of the car.

I said, "What?".

"The doors are locked.", he replied.

Unlock the door and open the door.", I said.

Him - "I can't.

Me - "What do you mean you can't?"

Him - "The alarm will go off."

Me - "Uhm, okay your mom has the keys, who cares if the alarm goes off. She can turn it off."

Him - "I'll just stay in the car."

Me - "Uhm, okay. I'll see you guys in a bit."

Please, Dear Lord tell me that he was sleep talking! LOL! What a nut -- A very bright nut!!

Hopes Versus Dreams

2012-02-09T16:25:23Z

Dreams.

Tiny magical goals that we aspire to achieve.

--What we imagine as our destiny.

The voids that we desire to make whole.

A sequence of events that we envision.

Yet dreams are nothing without hope.

Hope.

Hope is the emotion that propels us forward.

Hope fuels our desires to continue the journey and make our dreams a reality.

Hope is deeply rooted within each of us -- in the fibers that make us who we are.

Hope enables greatness and the ability to conquer fears.

In the absence of hope, we needn't really dream.

Hope is the sustenance that nourishes perseverance.

Without hope we'd be empty.

Without dreams we'd be lost.

Turns out us moms DO know what we're talking about....

2012-02-06T20:59:06Z

Obviously as parents we set rules, boundaries and guidelines that are tailored to fit our own lifestyles, goals and ideals. Some are complex while other are plain and simple, cut and dry. Some of them are no-brainers that we find ourselves repeating until we are nearly blue in the face. Of course kids forget them, hence the need to reiterate them over and over until we'd really just like to walk away banging our heads on the wall wondering how in the world they'd forgotten the rule. One of those quirky little rules around our house is NO electronic devices, games or toys at the dinner table during a meal. I view this one as a no-brainer, yet my kids forget this one all to often.

This morning, as breakfast drew to a close Hayden announced that he was getting full. I took a glance at his plate and told him to eat one more bite of his eggs before leaving the table. He stabbed a bite of his eggs with his fork, held it up and turned the bite toward his mouth. Before eating the bite I told him that if that was his idea of a bite then he'd need two of those. The bite quickly detoured back to his plate. With even more enthusiasm he stabbed another bite of eggs, a larger, less formed bite -- a bite that when he rose it into the air the scrambled eggs went flying. Drew, who was seated next to Hayden didn't even know what was coming before the eggs simultaneously hit him in the face and splatted all over his iPod.

The joys of parenting! I couldn't help but laugh at what happened and I am pretty positive that Andrew realized why the "No devices, games or toys at the table rule" exists in our house. You never can tell when to expect flying eggs around this house.

Conversations with Kids ~ Valentine's Edition

2012-02-02T06:31:56Z

Me - Hayden, will you be my Valentine?

Hayden - (Looking perplexed) No.

Me - But monkey if you aren't my Valentine I can't buy you chocolates on Valentine's Day.

Hayden - Momma, I'll be your kissy monkey and your Valentine.

Me - Awe, Monkey you just made my day.

Love is in the Air

2012-02-01T03:36:50Z

I have to admit that I am a complete sucker for decorating, especially when it comes to decorating for various holidays. With Valentine's day fast approaching I thought it only fitting to share a little love with you.

I thought about making some blocks like these, but the lo and behold, while strolling through the dollar section area of target I came across these blocks for $2.50. As much fun as making the blocks with the kids would have been I took the easy way out, plopped these puppies into my cart and reaped the reward of instant gratification!

Valentine's Day at our house wouldn't be complete without our Valentine's Day tree. I kind of look at it as a step-down program from our four plus trees at Christmastime. And yes, we literally remove the Christmas decorations only to replace them with the Valentine's decorations.

The tree obviously needed garland, but I wasn't quite feeling those shiny metallic heart strands that are readily accessible in most stores this time of year. I absolutely love shabby chic and thought that a ribbon garland would be absolutely PERFECT. It was also easy to have little hands help with this project. I simply cut a length of ribbon about four feet long, then cut smaller ribbon with pinking shears for the kids to tie on one by one.

I love the shabby whimsy of it and think it looks just fabulous on the tree.

I heart Valentine's Day!!!

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I'm Ba-ack!!!

2012-02-01T01:29:33Z

Unfortunately last week my computer nearly died what would have been a slow, agonizing death had it not been for my tech-y husband who began resuscitation immediately and was able to one day at a time, one click at a time revive my computer. Unfortunately that meant a rude interruption from my blogging days. I tried to post from my new phone, however there are some things that are just impossible to do from your phone.

....Speaking of new phone, I finally detached myself from my ever-faithful Blackberry. In the last few months I was becoming more and more disappointed with the applications available, the tortoise-like pace, the dropped calls and the calls and e-mails that sometimes NEVER went through. Let me not forget to mention the voicemails that would come through a week late. Talk about being tardy to the party! I realized that the only real reason I was holding on to my Blackberry and not moving forward with a new phone was because I REALLY, REALLY, REALLLLLLY love having a keypad, you know buttons that you can depress versus an entirely touch screen phone. It became crystal clear that there was no reason to keep the phone simply for the convenience of having buttons.

I DID it!

I committed to change and I LOVE it. Seriously, why did I not make the change a LONG time ago? I love the new functions and Apps. I love the fact that my phone has a slide-out keypad that allows me the option to use it or not. There are only a few minor complaints that I have regarding some of the phones functions, but they are honestly so petty that I won't even bother to blog about them.

I am so glad to be back and can't wait to share some of my recent projects with you guys!

Sitting at the Dock of the Bay

2012-01-17T05:38:08Z

You just can't help but hum a little Otis Redding
Sitting at the Dock of the Bay
Sitting in the morning sun
I'll be sitting when the evening comes
Watching the ships roll in
And I watch 'em roll away again

[Refrain]
Sitting on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
I'm just sitting on the dock of the bay
Wasting time

I left my home in Georgia
Headed for the 'Frisco bay
'Cause I had nothin to live for
And look like nothing's gonna come my way

So I'm just...
[Refrain]

Look like nothing's gonna change
Everything still remains the same
I can't do what ten people tell me to do
So I guess I'll remain the same

Sittin here resting my bones
And this loneliness won't leave me alone
It's two thousand miles I roamed
Just to make this dock my home

Now, I'm just...

This is for the Birds!

2012-01-13T03:50:10Z

A few days ago I was preparing a snack for my kiddos when I heard all of this commotion outside. I went over to look out the window when I saw a huge swarm of birds flying through the yard. I am talking hundreds if not a thousand birds. It was absolutely NUTS!

I grabbed my camera, adjusted the settings and tip-toed to the back door. As soon as I opened the door the flock flew off.

I waited a few minutes, in hopes that the birds would return.

In no time my yard, along with my neighbors yards were filled with birds again.

As soon as I opened the door the birds flew off.

....and only a few remained.

Out With the Old and In With the New

2012-01-10T22:01:49Z

Yesterday we finally dedicated the day to taking down our Christmas trees and Christmas decorations (Four Christmas trees, wreaths galore, bows, pictures, Christmas chotchkies , lights, crafts....all of it....well...except one tiny thing that I'll show you tomorrow). It is a lengthy process to de-Christmas, but one I never mind doing because I love the looks on our kids faces when we transform our home into their Christmas Wonderland. Their future spouses won't even believe it when they begin to describe their childhood Christmases and I am totally up for demonstrating. Seeing is believing!!!

Of course when some decorations are tucked neatly into their storage boxes it is time to decorate all over again. Bring on Valentine's Day, sweethearts!

Evening Entertainment Courtesy of the Coast Guard

2012-01-07T22:28:34Z

You can most definitely distinguish the sounds of the helicopters that fly over head here and the front door always peaks your curiosity when you hear the sound of the coast guard helicopters that linger about. Fortunately they are usually performing drills, which we all love to watch.

I remember when I was a little girl hearing stories of how my dad wanted so badly to join the Coast Guard, but because he was a diabetic he was unable to join them. That had to be completely frustrating, especially because of how skilled a captain he was.

The seagulls are always appreciative when the wind from the propellers creates a disturbance in the water. It reminds me of that scene from finding Nemo, "Mine, mine, no mine, mine, mine." These hungry gulls sure had an easy meal this evening.

The Lone Fisherman

2012-01-06T04:44:55Z

I woke up and glanced out at the bay.I love days like this.Where tiny ripples delicately dance as far as the eye can seeAndWhere the horizon melts into the sea.Where colors blend from one fabulous shade into the next.Where the clouds begin to take their shape long before they are high in the midday sky.Where fishermen are sparse -- As a lone fishermen casts his troubles away.Catching more than early morning rays.The brisk breeze on a crisp, cool morn.The engine awakes and off he scurries to where the horizon meets the sea.
©Stephanie/LittleInsights2012

Breakfast Discussion

2012-01-05T23:10:48Z

This morning as I was serving the kids their breakfast Hannah initiated a conversation regarding the new year and how old everyone would be turning this year. I stopped for a moment, listening as she rattled off the numbers, "So I will be eight, Tori will be eleven, Hayden will be five and Andrew will be thirteen.", she announced!

Whoa!

Hold it right there!

I demand a recount!

My first baby will be...th-th-thhhh-thirteen?!

Certainly not?!

Right?!

{SIGH}

Yes, yes he will be. I recalculated the math...just in case she was horribly wrong on ALL accounts.

I remember my childhood taking what seemed like FOREVER, yet somehow watching my children grow seems like it is literally happening overnight.

As for this moment, this VERY moment right now I will cuddle with them (because they all still love cuddling with their Momma), and I will savor right now, just as I always have because I have a feeling that this very topic of birthdays and ages will be replayed time and time again as my babies grow older each day.