Do more of what makes you happy!

Do more of what makes you happy! I have been looking at that sign in my kitchen kind of a lot lately. I am someone who goes through phases of things. Its funny because Ryan does the same thing. Maybe that's why we are such a good match. I have gone through painting, scrapbooking, blogging, vlogging, etc etc. I have been in a rut lately. So I am going to do more of what makes me happy! I am going to start back to blogging again. I love it. I don't know why I stopped. Life just seems to get at you sometimes and you are so busy you kind of forget to do YOU.

I am doing me! I am still taking care of my family of course but I am putting a little more attention into myself. The happier I am....the happier my family will be.

My life is good don't get me wrong. I just would like to do some extra stuff while I have time. While the kids are in school. So this is my little get back to daily blogging notice.

So please subscribe! You will get an email every time I blog and can read it....or even choose not too. I mean seriously sometimes the only thing I have a chance to read is my bible app or yah...Facebook. I am a junkie in both of those apps. I cant see if you subscribed but I surely would feel great if you did!

Up and coming....tons of pictures of my family, what we do, and just real talk with all of you. So if you are going to read this remember I write like I talk. :)

Teenagers

When you have four teenagers you have a lot going on in the house. I am happy however that I am a mom of these amazing four. Its funny how the week goes by and all the questions I get asked. Who every said that teens didn't want advice from their mother. I get asked questions all the time. Here are just a few that I can think of that happened in the past couple days.

• Does this outfit look ok? (Boy) My answer: Yes!
• Is my hair ok or should I put more gel in it? (boy) My answer: I think it looks good now don't put anymore because if the wind blows your hair wont move.
• Should I wear glitter eyeliner today? (girl...thank goodness) My answer: Sure if you want but just know I am doing it today too:)
• How should I ask her to prom? (boy) My Answer: First you have to ask her dad for permission which you already know. Then you have to make it memorable for her. Girls like that.
• Should I go with my friends to prom so it will be more fun? (girl) My answer: I think if you are going to have more fun going with a bunch of friends then do that.
• Are you sure my outfit looks ok? (boy) My answer: I specifically remember saying yes already.
• How do you know if someone is telling the truth? (boy) My answer: Parents always know! Even if you think they don't know. We do!
• What should I do for my first date? (boy) My answer: Make sure to open her car door because you are a gentleman. Your dad still opens my door after all these years. Movies are fun but make sure to get a soda or go to eat so you have time to talk. Probably a soda because she will say she isn't hungry.
• Do I look taller today? (boy) My answer: Honestly....yes.
• What is for dinner? (boys and girl) My answer: Not sure its only 11am but I will have it made by dinner time.
• Can we sleep in? (boy) My answer: As long as you get up when we say its time without being cranky.
• What is my curfew? (boy on first date ) My answer: Depends on what you are going to do. What time was the movie again?
• Where is the best place to get flowers? (boy) My answer: At Awesome Blossom as you want to shop local. Online can be hit or miss.
• Are you really sure my hair looks ok? (boy) My answer: YES! Do I look like I was lying to you the last two times you asked me?

I love having these teens. They  make my days complete. I really love when they ask for your opinion AND then do it too. Craziness! I remember being able to talk to my parents too. I like having an open door policy. I cant say that I wont be disappointed sometimes but I like that the kids can come to us and know we love them unconditionally no matter what. Its funny though because most of the stuff they come to us lately for is all the stuff that brings good memories for me when I was a teen. Gotta love it. The dates, Proms, friends, how we are always afraid of how we look, movies, funny teachers that they talk about at dinner, etc etc etc.....  Ahhh the good ol days! Except the only difference I think at this moment is our hair in the 80's WAS bad and DIDNT look good. HA! Cant wait to see what the next week holds on questions and answers.


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Swing Batter!

When you are a parent of four kids and they all like sports its an interesting situation. This year Jackson is in Varsity Baseball and Cassie is in Varsity Softball. I love watching them play ball. Its both their first year in High school for the sport.

The only thing that is hard for us is when they have home games. You would think that was easy right? Wrong! They both play double headers at the SAME TIME. So we find out who is starting first which is usually Cassie and go to her game. Once we done watching her play for at least half the game we drive quickly over to Jacks game and watch him for another half of the last game. Then we continue to watch for the first part of the second game. Once its halfway there we head on back to Cassie game. Are you confused yet? I sure am!

I always feel bad when we miss a great hit or something. I am hoping they just both remember how we were in the stands cheering them on as we eat our sunflower seeds. I think Josh and Jason love home games too because they get out of school an hour early to go watch their siblings play. Cant beat that right?

I am pretty excited to see Jackson play his Senior year. I am glad his friends talked him into it.
He use to play in middle and elementary school but never wanted to play in H.S. Baseball is so much faster than Softball I am always amazed at how he hits or catches the ball.

Cassie I am proud of because this is her first year ever playing Softball and she is doing fantastic! It nice to see a sport she comes home excited about and is excelling in. I cant wait to see her play next year too. They haven't had a softball team for many years and finally have enough girls to play! YEAH!

Who doesn't love watching their kids play. Who doesn't love hotdogs and sunflower seeds. Who doesn't love watching your kids get way tanner than you are. Wait...I don't love that one but they do ha! The home game happened. This season is going by so fast. I am thankful to be able to watch them though. Next year we will have Cassie playing again and Jason too! It will be another great year!


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Zero to 18 in no time flat

Zero to 18 in 22 seconds. That is truly what it feels like when my oldest child is now OFFICALLY an adult. I am one lucky mom. Even today he asked me “Does it feel weird we are all growing up?” My answer was……DEFINITELY.

He has always been a dirt biker

I have been struggling with Jackson this year. Not with him but the fact that he is now 18 and a senior. The fact that my oldest kid is going to join the Military after Graduation. The fact that he isn’t a little boy anymore with big ears and an even bigger smile.  I guess every parent struggles with the fact their kids are getting older. I sometimes look at him when he is speaking and can see WAY down the line when he has a family of his own. I see the growth. I see his caring nature. I see his joking side. I see how much he has grown. I see him turning into a man.

Me and my Adult Son

For Jacks 18^th bday he wanted to go to an All you can eat Sushi place. There is nothing like that around where we live although we do love us some sushi. His Mom and I talked and decided we would bring him to Reno so both sides of the family could meet up. We wanted him to have a big birthday with her and her side of the family plus Ryan and I and our side of the family. It was going to be great! Sushi, bowling and staying at a Casino. Cousins everywhere. I think Jackson was worried it was going to be a little babyish but in the end he said he really liked it.

We did the all you can eat sushi with 21 of us. Everyone chatted and had fun. It was all for Jackson and he was the star of the show. I wished I would have gotten a picture of him when the whole restaurant sang to him. The embarrassed look on his face was classic. We all laughed, ate and had a good time. After filling our bellies full we went over to Grand Sierra Resort to do Black light bowling.

A whole bunch of us

 

Jack with his mom on left and MIL on right

 

Cassie, Josh and Aunt Kelly loving Sushi

 

 Jen and some of the younger Cousins

 

Ryan and I loving Sushi

Ok I am going to stop for a second and say something important to me. I may not be Jackson’s biological mom. I am technically his step mom and have only been in his life since he was 10 but I love him like he is my own. He has my heart. I am thankful that his Biological mom and family understand that. They even call me the “other mom” as I am just that. The other mom. I am not the wicked step mom in Cinderella. I love Jackson and have since I laid eyes on him and his brother. Ryan and I have never treated the four kids differently. They get loved the same and punished the same. We are very blessed they get along so well and they view each other as brothers and sisters. My heart aches when any of them are hurt and is over joyed when something happens good to any of them. I am also very thankful that you can take two families that have been through a divorce and still be there for the kids. And have fun mind you too.

Ok so back to my kid turning 18. We all went bowling for two hours. It was a blast. Not only was it fun for the little kids but it was fun for the adults too. I laughed so many times. I laughed when my dad took off his shoes because he was afraid to slip. I laughed when Jacksons Uncle John told me how he was a great bowler but only on Wii. I laughed when any of us would get a strike and see the ultimate joy in our faces or rather surprised look that we did it actually. It was a good time. I loved getting to know Jackson and Jason’s Mom side better. Everyone was really nice and never made anything awkward. I loved seeing my nieces Kylie and Mariah bowl with their bumper pads and thinking to myself maybe I would do better if I used those too.

Jacob and Jackson going head to head

The thing that I hope Jackson saw in the end was there were so many people there who loved him. So many people who wanted to share in his bday of turning into an adult. He had Uncles and Aunts from both sides there, His Grandma Sally, His Papa Vaughn and Grandma Andy and then he had a slew of cousins from young to old there plus his siblings and all his 3 parents. I think that is how every big birthday should be. Full of fun and love for your child. Not many divorced families can pull that off but if you truly love the kids....you will.

It was an amazing night. Lots of laughs and lots of love. Jackson later went out with his older cousin Jacob to have a little one on one time too. Also shout out to Jacob. I like that kid (whelp technically adult) and I promised him if he won in bowling I would give a shout out! HI JACOB!

It was a good night. My son is finally 18. The skies have opened up for him and he is an adult. Just a couple more months and he will be graduating too. I love you Jackson. For the next couple months I may hug you a little longer and a little tighter…..you just have to stop growing up.

Happy New Year!!

Its has been a crazy week! Let me tell you that it will probably take me a full week of blogs maybe just to get it all on here ha! I just wanted to say a quick HAPPY 2016! This is going to be a year of BIG changes in our family.

Here are some highlights of the kids Christmas break! Thought I would do it in pictures. We were at home for Christmas but after it was a whirlwind of Mil, My dad and step mom surprising us and treating us for days to come......This is not in order.....:)

Whew! It was a long and awesome last five days with family and friends!

Bahumbug STAR WARS

Ba Humbug Star Wars? Really? Why did I title that when we love Scrooge and Star Wars? The kids got out of school on Friday and we wanted to start the Holiday Festivities right away.

 

Saturday we got up, had a good breakfast and got ready to brave the snow to drive 2 hours to go see a play at the Redding Civic Center. Mind you we live in a small town of only 250 people and off a 15 mile dirt road just to get to that little town center. So everything is far away. You get used to it and don’t even realize it anymore.

We had to pile into two cars as there was 7 of us but we were on our way. Once we got there MIL treated us to lunch and we headed to the show.

I loved the show. I love seeing actors act and right in front of you. It was full of laughter and joy just like a show should be. I was happy we decided to take the kids and MIL because hopefully it’s something they will remember later on in life. My parents used to take me to them and I always want to share that with my four kids too. It was a cute love story of Scrooge and I highly recommend it. One of those ones you can go if you’re single but hold hands to if you are not.

 

 

 

We made it home safely which was good as no one got stuck this time. Just wait as it does happen lol.

Sunday we went to a grand 50^th party for a good friend of mine. I am thankful that we made it as it snowed even more. It was good to see my friends and be able to celebrate and have a surprise party for herJ That evening we watched a couple episodes of Star Wars as we were going the next day as a family.

The next day my husband woke up the kids with the loudest Star Wars Music. It rang through the whole house as today was Star Wars Movie Day. It was so hilarious to see some kids all excited and others looking at him like he had lost his mind. We watched one more episode and then left early as we had a 2 hour trip to go to the movies in Redding again. This time as we left in two cars we didn’t arrive at the same time as we got stuck for an hour on our driveway and had to get another car lol. AHH the wonders of living out on a ranch.

We did however make it to stand in line with our already bought tickets. Everyone got their popcorn and drinks. Ryan and I got our Storm Trooper 3D glasses and we were ready! I am thankful we all got to sit together!

The movie was Awesome! Let’s just say….actually I will not say anything as you have to go see it yourself! We all loved it and the 3D part was ultra-cool. Thought it was cool the kids all wore their Star Wars shirts also. Next time we have to get MIL one too!

It was a fun 3 day weekend that is still continuing as the kids don’t have school this week. Mil is here with us through the holidays which is an extra special part too. I miss my family at Christmas time. We will be seeing my Dad and Stepmom right after Christmas though. I finally got our Christmas Cards out also which is way late but I can’t be on top of everything all the time right? J

We have many more days of Christmas festivities but this is a good start!!!