Hmmm-
Well I guess the number one thing would be the boys learning to drive or driving without us. Sterling was so thrilled on Saturday when he came home and told me that he had driven the car and had done GREAT that I almost cried. Then I beat Craig with a wooden spoon. :) I am petrified that I will never sleep again after they get their licences. Sterling starts the process in November. He has already advised me that he will not be going to school that day as he "must go get his licence". Oh man.
What else scares me? Moths. God I hate those hairy bastards. They have no fear, and they can wait you out like nobody's business. They just love to hang around your screen door waiting for you to make one false move and let them in, where their in-body GPS system will automatically send them to my room and my side of the bed. I can't stand them!
Girls - while I know the boys are getting to the age where they are going to start getting interested in girls (who are we kidding, Kaedo already is), but I'm just waiting for the day when they leave all their brain cells at home all the while following around some ditzy girl who is going to ruin the next year of their life and I am going to have to a) pick up all the pieces and b) learn voodoo so I can put a hex on her.
So ya, I'm sure there a million more, but there are my top 3!
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
Day 6 - What Do I do?
Today's prompt is one I'm sure Craig is anxious to read! lol
As a newly returned "Stay at Home Mom", I find my days very busy. My boys go to school on a different schedule, so while Sterling leaves much earlier, he is home much earlier in the afternoon. You don't have much time when your high schooler is home at 2:40pm. I take my "home mom " job very seriously, and spend one on one time with the boys when they get home, something that I think we all love. That of course makes the day much shorter.
Some of the things on my list are:
- Doing the Laundry (from sorting on the dirty end to sorting on the clean end), putting away mine and Craig's clothes
- Ironing Craig's work shirts
- Taking the kids to all their appointments
- Going to my appointments
- Grocery shopping
- Cooking all the meals and the subsequent clean up
- Shopping for gifts (we have a lot of birthdays in this family) and everything that goes with that (cards, mailing, etc)
- Walking the dog
- Housecleaning - which I HATE
- The blog
- twice a month lunch with my aunt (totally not a chore, but it takes up an afternoon! LOVE it!)
I'm sure there are other things I do but this is the list I can think up for now. I can tell you that I love every minute of it. I love being available to my family. I didn't want to be a Stay at Home Mom when the boys were little but I really enjoy it and them so much more now.
How long will I have this opportunity for? I don't know. But I'm so happy for it now.
Funnier post coming tomorrow.
See you then!
As a newly returned "Stay at Home Mom", I find my days very busy. My boys go to school on a different schedule, so while Sterling leaves much earlier, he is home much earlier in the afternoon. You don't have much time when your high schooler is home at 2:40pm. I take my "home mom " job very seriously, and spend one on one time with the boys when they get home, something that I think we all love. That of course makes the day much shorter.
Some of the things on my list are:
- Doing the Laundry (from sorting on the dirty end to sorting on the clean end), putting away mine and Craig's clothes
- Ironing Craig's work shirts
- Taking the kids to all their appointments
- Going to my appointments
- Grocery shopping
- Cooking all the meals and the subsequent clean up
- Shopping for gifts (we have a lot of birthdays in this family) and everything that goes with that (cards, mailing, etc)
- Walking the dog
- Housecleaning - which I HATE
- The blog
- twice a month lunch with my aunt (totally not a chore, but it takes up an afternoon! LOVE it!)
I'm sure there are other things I do but this is the list I can think up for now. I can tell you that I love every minute of it. I love being available to my family. I didn't want to be a Stay at Home Mom when the boys were little but I really enjoy it and them so much more now.
How long will I have this opportunity for? I don't know. But I'm so happy for it now.
Funnier post coming tomorrow.
See you then!
Monday, 6 May 2013
Day 5 - Publicly profess your love for someone
Day 5 - Only 26 more to go! Haha.
You guys know me, usually I would write about my mom here, or Craig, but today I'm twisting things up here.
I'd like to write about Shirley, my sweet, great Mother-In-Law. Shirley has been very kind to me over the almost 19 years, even inviting me into her house way back in the day with sandals on even though it was -30 and I'm sure she thought her son had brought home a crazy person.
From the day I met her, she looked at her son and his happiness, and although she thought I was nuts, she welcomed me into her family.
She has always placed her children and grandchildren first and is always willing to assist us. When I got sick, she took time from her job (where she had no time off as it was a school) to come help Craig while I was in the hospital. She remained a stead-fast confidante for him, a shoulder for the boys and a loving mom and gramma.
When I came out of the hospital and was lucky enough to have her visiting and helping, I was very mean during a conversation we had. Completely my fault and my cruelty has followed me after all these years. Shirley forgave me many ears ago but it is still one of those instances in which I am supremely embarrassed of my behavior. Being sick was and is absolutely no justification.
These days we text and talk on the phone and she sends me many wonderful "thinking of you" cards and quotes and other words of wisdom she clips with me in mind.
She is kind and good and even in those dark days when she could have counselled Craig to walk away, she didn't. For that I will be eternally grateful.
Shirley,
I love you.
You guys know me, usually I would write about my mom here, or Craig, but today I'm twisting things up here.
I'd like to write about Shirley, my sweet, great Mother-In-Law. Shirley has been very kind to me over the almost 19 years, even inviting me into her house way back in the day with sandals on even though it was -30 and I'm sure she thought her son had brought home a crazy person.
From the day I met her, she looked at her son and his happiness, and although she thought I was nuts, she welcomed me into her family.
She has always placed her children and grandchildren first and is always willing to assist us. When I got sick, she took time from her job (where she had no time off as it was a school) to come help Craig while I was in the hospital. She remained a stead-fast confidante for him, a shoulder for the boys and a loving mom and gramma.
When I came out of the hospital and was lucky enough to have her visiting and helping, I was very mean during a conversation we had. Completely my fault and my cruelty has followed me after all these years. Shirley forgave me many ears ago but it is still one of those instances in which I am supremely embarrassed of my behavior. Being sick was and is absolutely no justification.
These days we text and talk on the phone and she sends me many wonderful "thinking of you" cards and quotes and other words of wisdom she clips with me in mind.
She is kind and good and even in those dark days when she could have counselled Craig to walk away, she didn't. For that I will be eternally grateful.
Shirley,
I love you.
Sunday, 5 May 2013
Day 4 and a little thing called the gnome picture!
Ok - so, the day 4 challenge is "favorite quote". I can admit that for many years I have copied, bought, saved quotes, but this one is my favorite right now. It is what I am trying to become, so it resonates:
found on Pinterest - the coolest site on the planet
As for the truly handsome men of this family, here is this week's gnome photo:
They are handsome and great and are enjoying the sunshine. Right now they are outside trying to set up their badminton net. Even in the course of a year it is amazing how much better they communicate with each other. It's wonderful. True best friends.
Saturday, 4 May 2013
Day 3 - Boo-yah!
Ok - today's prompt is - Things that make you Uncomfortable!
Where do I start? Haha -
Here goes:
1. Little kids in table service restaurants after 7pm
2. Large groups of people - think weddings, etc
3. People who honk at other drivers just because they were too busy to leave 5 minutes earlier
4. Getting a second opinion from a clerk in a clothing store
5. Kids who are rude to their parents
6. Parents who are rude to their kids
I'm sure there are many more - some of you can probably add to this list, but these are the ones that stand out today.
I'm already thinking about tomorrow. *See* you then!
Where do I start? Haha -
Here goes:
1. Little kids in table service restaurants after 7pm
2. Large groups of people - think weddings, etc
3. People who honk at other drivers just because they were too busy to leave 5 minutes earlier
4. Getting a second opinion from a clerk in a clothing store
5. Kids who are rude to their parents
6. Parents who are rude to their kids
I'm sure there are many more - some of you can probably add to this list, but these are the ones that stand out today.
I'm already thinking about tomorrow. *See* you then!
Friday, 3 May 2013
Day 2
Ok - for everyone playing along, I'm going to TRY and post everyday this month - NOTE * TRY*.
Today's prompt is to talk about something you know a lot about or are good at. I figure there are three things - scrapbooking, mental illness (not good at, but know a lot about - ha) and raising good kids. I figured most of you don't give a damn about scrapbooking and those of you in my family know probably more than you want to know about mental illness, so I thought I would talk about raising good kids. Please note - I do not do this alone - Craig is a huge influence on the boys, and we are NOT the best parents on the planet. We have however learned a lot about what works for us and our boys.
I read a long time ago that Dr.Phil said that the relationship between the parents has to be number one, then that of the children. I have heard it repeated by others numerous times over the years. I would like to start by saying that Craig and I do not subscribe to this philosophy. Our children are number one and have been since the day they were born. For me, they will remain in that coveted spot until the day I die. No one/nothing will ever change that.
So, here are some things that we believe in and that work for us:
1. Five days a week we have dinner together as a family. Even if it is at 7:30pm, we eat together. We go around the table and replay our day for everyone. Sterling, in fact, is so specific, he even details where every one sat for lunch. I love it. I can tell you that often our supper hours are just that, an hour!
2. Unless we are going out or the kids have homework/volunteering, playing outside with their friends (do 15 year olds play???) is always a yes.
3. I never say no if the kids want to cook with me, even if it takes double the time.
4. Sundays are generally family days, which means a movie or something we all like doing together. Usually the boys will always choose this over their friends, but if not we are ok with that too and never guilt them for choosing another activity.
5. If I have change in my wallet, the kids are welcome to it. Now don't get me wrong - I'm not handing over $20s, but if they want to go to McDonalds for fries and a drink, I always contribute if I can.
6. We choose who they hang out with. I remember someone once saying "I can't choose your friends but I can sure as hell choose who you hang out with" and that too, has stuck with me forever. We practice that with the boys. Just last night we were speaking of one boy in particular and I said - no hanging out with him.
7. NO PARTIES!
8. No dating until 16, and even then it will not be one on one. When Sterling turns 16 later this year, the age will be 17. ha
9. We are NEVER too busy to talk to them. EVER. About anything. I must admit, sometimes YouTube bores me to tears, but if they want to talk about it, we will.
10. While new is nice, sometimes it is not possible. The boys wear second hand jeans and shorts sometimes (who has $50 for a new pair of shorts?), and if they don't want to, they can save their money. We have tried to teach them that we can't have everything - even though we all wish we could - so this is our way of meeting them in the middle.
Lastly, which probably should have been first -
RESPECT - I demand respect from my sons. They are wonderful kids but they need to know how to treat people properly. I used to say they need to know how to treat women, and Craig corrected me and said, "they should treat everyone with respect" and he was totally right. Chivalry is not dead. Whether you are a man or a woman - hold the door open, you don't need to be first, say thank you, have a nice day, smile at people, don't raise your voice unless absolutely necessary (like if you are singing happy birthday), and we will always be their parents. We deserve a level of respect that is second to none. We expect, we demand it and in return we give it. So many people people seem to expect respect from their children but may not reciprocate. I don't quite understand that. How else can they learn than by example?
So you may be reading this thinking I'm a blowhard. I am not trying to be. My kids are brats, but they are good brats. They are teenagers, which in my mind is the BEST age hands down. I LOVE IT - and I am not joking. I was supposed to write about something that I think I know about, and my guys are great, so this is what you get.
Today's prompt is to talk about something you know a lot about or are good at. I figure there are three things - scrapbooking, mental illness (not good at, but know a lot about - ha) and raising good kids. I figured most of you don't give a damn about scrapbooking and those of you in my family know probably more than you want to know about mental illness, so I thought I would talk about raising good kids. Please note - I do not do this alone - Craig is a huge influence on the boys, and we are NOT the best parents on the planet. We have however learned a lot about what works for us and our boys.
I read a long time ago that Dr.Phil said that the relationship between the parents has to be number one, then that of the children. I have heard it repeated by others numerous times over the years. I would like to start by saying that Craig and I do not subscribe to this philosophy. Our children are number one and have been since the day they were born. For me, they will remain in that coveted spot until the day I die. No one/nothing will ever change that.
So, here are some things that we believe in and that work for us:
1. Five days a week we have dinner together as a family. Even if it is at 7:30pm, we eat together. We go around the table and replay our day for everyone. Sterling, in fact, is so specific, he even details where every one sat for lunch. I love it. I can tell you that often our supper hours are just that, an hour!
2. Unless we are going out or the kids have homework/volunteering, playing outside with their friends (do 15 year olds play???) is always a yes.
3. I never say no if the kids want to cook with me, even if it takes double the time.
4. Sundays are generally family days, which means a movie or something we all like doing together. Usually the boys will always choose this over their friends, but if not we are ok with that too and never guilt them for choosing another activity.
5. If I have change in my wallet, the kids are welcome to it. Now don't get me wrong - I'm not handing over $20s, but if they want to go to McDonalds for fries and a drink, I always contribute if I can.
6. We choose who they hang out with. I remember someone once saying "I can't choose your friends but I can sure as hell choose who you hang out with" and that too, has stuck with me forever. We practice that with the boys. Just last night we were speaking of one boy in particular and I said - no hanging out with him.
7. NO PARTIES!
8. No dating until 16, and even then it will not be one on one. When Sterling turns 16 later this year, the age will be 17. ha
9. We are NEVER too busy to talk to them. EVER. About anything. I must admit, sometimes YouTube bores me to tears, but if they want to talk about it, we will.
10. While new is nice, sometimes it is not possible. The boys wear second hand jeans and shorts sometimes (who has $50 for a new pair of shorts?), and if they don't want to, they can save their money. We have tried to teach them that we can't have everything - even though we all wish we could - so this is our way of meeting them in the middle.
Lastly, which probably should have been first -
RESPECT - I demand respect from my sons. They are wonderful kids but they need to know how to treat people properly. I used to say they need to know how to treat women, and Craig corrected me and said, "they should treat everyone with respect" and he was totally right. Chivalry is not dead. Whether you are a man or a woman - hold the door open, you don't need to be first, say thank you, have a nice day, smile at people, don't raise your voice unless absolutely necessary (like if you are singing happy birthday), and we will always be their parents. We deserve a level of respect that is second to none. We expect, we demand it and in return we give it. So many people people seem to expect respect from their children but may not reciprocate. I don't quite understand that. How else can they learn than by example?
So you may be reading this thinking I'm a blowhard. I am not trying to be. My kids are brats, but they are good brats. They are teenagers, which in my mind is the BEST age hands down. I LOVE IT - and I am not joking. I was supposed to write about something that I think I know about, and my guys are great, so this is what you get.
Thursday, 2 May 2013
Yikes -
Hello All,
So - in the blogosphere there is currently a challenge going around to see if you can blog every day for the entire month. While I am already behind one day, I thought I would try it and see if I could do it. There are even prompts - which make it so much easier. Sometimes it is VERY hard to think of ideas.
So, here goes: - the story of your life in 250 words or less (eek)
My name is Shannon and I was born on May 12. This year I have the privilege (either that or it sucks) to share my birthday with Mother's Day. I live in Eastern Canada and our family will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary here in September. I can't believe. I have been married to my gorgeous husband for almost 18 years (which is also shocking - are we really that old or were we really that young? I think I'll go with the latter).
We have two gorgeous sons, Sterling and Kaedo (at least that's what I call him) and an adorable if not sometimes barky dog, Ketchup. He has the best name in our family.
We are blessed to have wonderful families who love us and more importantly love our kids, and our dog.
Our children have so many people that love them that they are jetting off to spend the Summer with their grandparents, Antis, Uncle and cousins. sob. We are so lucky they love them so much!
Right now I am a stay-at-home mom. I have the opportunity to be with the boys and find myself increasingly more talking to the dog. The weirdest part is that he understands!
Ok - that's it for today. I already have something planned for tomorrow so I guess I can chalk up two days, right?
So - in the blogosphere there is currently a challenge going around to see if you can blog every day for the entire month. While I am already behind one day, I thought I would try it and see if I could do it. There are even prompts - which make it so much easier. Sometimes it is VERY hard to think of ideas.
So, here goes: - the story of your life in 250 words or less (eek)
My name is Shannon and I was born on May 12. This year I have the privilege (either that or it sucks) to share my birthday with Mother's Day. I live in Eastern Canada and our family will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary here in September. I can't believe. I have been married to my gorgeous husband for almost 18 years (which is also shocking - are we really that old or were we really that young? I think I'll go with the latter).
We have two gorgeous sons, Sterling and Kaedo (at least that's what I call him) and an adorable if not sometimes barky dog, Ketchup. He has the best name in our family.
We are blessed to have wonderful families who love us and more importantly love our kids, and our dog.
Our children have so many people that love them that they are jetting off to spend the Summer with their grandparents, Antis, Uncle and cousins. sob. We are so lucky they love them so much!
Right now I am a stay-at-home mom. I have the opportunity to be with the boys and find myself increasingly more talking to the dog. The weirdest part is that he understands!
Ok - that's it for today. I already have something planned for tomorrow so I guess I can chalk up two days, right?
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