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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Homecoming and Sad/Happy Tears

When you have four teenagers your life is dull. Ok, seriously did anyone believe me when I just said that? Because if you did you need to stop right now because you are living in some weird bubble somewhere and have never been around one teenagers let alone four ha!

This was homecoming night for the school and also senior night for the well…Seniors.

Events started at 4pm and ran till 10pm. We started out with Cassie having her Varsity Volleyball game. They looked so awesome in their outfits for Breast Cancer Awareness month. I loved calling Cassie name from the stands. She had Grandma (MIL), Nana Robin, Papa Pat and all of us cheering for her and the team. She kept giving us the “omg mom don’t embarrass me” look. Ha! Then they had JV Volleyball. After that everyone moved to the Football Field to the Homecoming game. Before the game they had senior night where they announce each senior playing Football and what they like and love and will miss. The seniors then go and give their parents a rose to say Thank you. We however thought this happened at half time. Ryan and I ran all the way back to the house because we brought the good camera but forgot to grab the battery. We wanted great pictures of all of this.

We actually got there JUST as the football game started. Got to the seats and sat down. We had a whole crew of us. Ryan’s Dad and other Mom were visiting from Texas just to come see this game (mind you we live In California), Mil was there as usual and then Ryan and I and the kids. After sitting down a good friend of mine came over and said we had missed the Senior part of the night. I was devastated. I thought that it was at half time like it usually is. They had changed it however because they were doing Homecoming at half time now. I didn’t realize that. Lets be honest…I broke into tears. I missed my one son doing Color Guard and my other son trying to show his gratitude. The part that hurt me as a parent the most is that I knew he was looking for us and we weren’t there. Josh wasn’t upset we missed Color Guard because he was doing the exact same thing a week later and we would see it and get great pictures. To him it wasn’t that big of a deal. He did amazing though and carried the American Flag. Friends gave me some pictures. I hugged him and told him how proud I was of him.

At this point you just have to say to yourself that there is nothing that could be done. So you just have to put a smile on your face and enjoy the game that your two boys are playing. Jackson who is a Senior this year and Jason who is a freshman. To have their grandparents there cheering them on along with their parents was pretty darn cool! They made some great plays and we heard Jacksons name over the loud speaker many times for great blocks to help the team get a touchdown. It was a great game! I wish Jason would have been able to play but being Senior night they let them play a lot more than usual even. I loved the small moments when Jason and Jackson were standing next to each other getting ready to go in.

Sidenote. Jason is #16 but didn’t want his own jersey as when Jackson graduates he is going to take his jersey. That’s why it doesn’t say Collins on the back of both of them. Jackson is #15 because that is his little brothers bday. Its just so cool.

So halftime events came up and all the sudden over the speaker I hear “ There is one Senior who wasn’t able to give his mom a rose as she just is a month out of brain surgery and got here in time for the game. Jackson collins…..go find your mother”. Jack ran from the field and came up to me to give me a rose. I look over and Sally (MIL) is bawling too! He hugged me, then Mil, then went down the line hugging his Nana Robin and Papa Pat and then his dad. He had tears in his eyes too! It was so special that we actually ended up not missing it. I was devastated when I thought I had. I am sure that Jack loved loved loved the extra attention since everyone in the stands was clapping and hooting. Made his day too!

He went out after and finished the second half with a storm. His spirits were high and we were all cheering like mad. It was a great event. I was so happy that Ryan’s Dad and other mom were able to be here. Not only did they get to see one child but they got to see all four of the teenagers doing something. I loved hearing how much they love our little town and how impressed they were of all the kids. It was fun introducing them to our friends and showing them around our town. We were lucky that they came to visit as Texas is a long ways away.

The night turned out great. We won the game and are now in playoffs for the Championships. Josh has another Color Guard for Veterans day and Cassie Volleyball season is coming to a close. It was a great day.

So, I don’t know if you are wondering how they knew that we weren’t there or how the announcement ended up coming over the loud speaker at half time right before Homecoming Court came out. Well at one point in the game my husband said he had to go to the car to get another SD card for the camera that we brought and missed everything for ha! He actually went up to the box and talked to the announcer about if they could redo that moment just for me. The town knows that I had surgery and this was my first real outing since then. It was important for me to be there for all four of my kids. I wouldn’t of missed it for the world. That’s true love. When you see that your wife and your child missed something that couldn’t be redone. He made it happen. I always tell him that he is my superhero. He truly is. We all were able to experience that event and it ended up being even more special because he decided to go talk to the announcer about it. I love the look on Jacksons grandparents faces. It was priceless. The look of crying or the look of how proud they were. I seriously cant believe I am going to be doing this three more times with my three other children in the next three years. Someone seriously help me! I am not going to be a good empty nester at all. Horrible in fact!

The night ended well. Everyone was happy and things always happen for a reason. Even if that reason ends up being your hubby making the night better for you and your son. I will forever remember that moment!

 

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Chrismas Decorating NOW?! (and why I am crying)

It’s the end of October and I want to decorate my whole house. Seems simple enough right? The small problem is I want to decorate it like a snowman threw up in it or like Santa sprinkled all his Christmas joy all over my house. It’s the end of October. I should be doing Halloween or Thanksgiving right?

Okay before you put me in some crazy psych ward, let me explain myself.

THIS IS MY LAST YEAR WITH ALL FOUR OF MY KIDS FOR CHRISTMAS WHILE THEY ARE ALL STILL LIVING AT OUR HOUSE!!

Deep Breathe! Sniffles. Wiping my tears away.

Josh, Jack, Cassie and Jason

My oldest child Jackson is a Senior this year. Cassie is a Junior. Joshua a Sophomore and then Jason a Freshman. Did I hear you just take a deep breathe with me? Or were you breathing hard because you just heard me say that my children are all in high school and there are four of them?

Jackson is planning on going into the military after High School. He has been wanting this for a couple years. He wants to work, serve our country and go to school all at the same time. Very proud of his decision. He didn’t have to do that but it was his decision and we are honored to have another service man in our family.

All grown up my baby! Jackson

Back to Christmas. I just keep thinking how this is our last Christmas while they all live with us together. I mean I know we will have them all later on in life too but for some reason in my heart this feels like a crazy big thing. Jackson!!! I don’t want you to leave yet!

Now because we are a blended family, even though the kids live with us full time they go to their other parent’s house on every other holiday. This year it so happens that Thanksgiving they are at their other family’s house but Christmas falls with us this year.

We don't know how to be normal

Maybe that’s why I am not even thinking about Thanksgiving much. Holidays just don’t seem like holidays without the kids. It’s a good quiet little vacation for Ryan and I though which is always nice.

So I want to decorate Christmas now. Is that really so wrong? I mean what if I didn’t have friends come over till after Thanksgiving? So I don’t get sent to some psych ward or something. I just feel like I have to really savor this Holiday. Just as I am sure Jackson’s mom will savior Thanksgiving with him.

We have so many plans for Christmas for the four kids this year. I can’t say them all as they won’t be surprised if they actually read this (I doubt they do ha). We want to do a small get away. We want to go visit Ryans family and my family. Have Christmas day at our house with stockings, goodies and a big dinner. I don’t know if they will remember this Christmas as I will be blinding them with the flash of the camera. My babies!!! The four of them!!! Before one of them tries to leave the nest.

I think when he goes off it will be my husband, his mom and I standing there crying! I might be holding onto his feet as he tries to go to Basic Training not willing to let my kid go. I seriously am tearing up right this second just thinking about it.

Jackson and I have had this amazing relationship. Its nice to have loved this child for the last almost 8 years. When I met him he was this little dorky 9 year old with big ears and a bigger grin. When he hugged me his head was at my chest level. He was so small and so skinny ha! Now he is almost 18, taller than I am. Grew into his ears, still has a goofy amazing smile. He stole my heart 8 years ago. I love him like he was mine to begin with. Ok! Crying again! Where are the tissues people?

Jack Coaching Youth Basketball

We are blessed to have brought four children together who love each other and see each other as real siblings. When I say “Go tell your brother he needs to dump the trash”. They will say “Which one”. We are VERY blessed! They don’t fight and get along. No I am not kidding it’s so true. I mean the only thing they do is pick on each other like normal brothers and sister. Even last night after dinner Ryan and I had gone upstairs to talk about an idea we had for Halloween. Didn’t want to talk in front of the kids because then they put their two or three or four cents worth as well they are teenagers. After talking one by one each of the kids started straggling into our room. First it was Jackson, then Cassie, then Jason and then Joshua. It ended up with us sitting as a family in our room just talking and eating snacks from my swaps. We talked about everything from why we won’t let them go to parties with alcohol even though we trust them not to drink to Halloween costumes to what they want to be when they grow up to what they would do in this or that situation. 2 hours went by and they were still talking and laughing. I didn’t want to take that moment away. I wanted to keep it in my head forever. All the sudden it was 930 and the kids started straggling out to get ready for bed. Some kept popping back in to ask a question here or there.

We are blessed they love each other

I am not ready for this! I am not ready for my oldest to leave. I am trying to keep these moments in my head. He isn’t even half way through his senior year and I am already crying about it. I want to make sure he is going to be okay. Have I taught him enough? Does he cook well enough? Can he balance a check book or pay bills. I know by the time he goes and flies the coop Ryan and I will be worried and just want a phone call four times a day. That’s not too much to ask for is it? Ha! Hey maybe if we continue to pay his phone bill he will feel the need to call more ha!

So I totally went off in a direction I didn’t think I would go in. Basically I want to decorate now. October 28,2015 the whole house full of Christmas! I want a large tree (Maybe not as big as last time as we had to cut off 2 feet and it was still 10 feet tall). I want it to smell like Christmas and be Christmas longer.

Yes they are still my babies!!

Then Next year its Cassies last Christmas but it will be the year with her father. Then Joshua last Christmas will be with us and Jason’s last Christmas will be with his mother.

Insert Craziness …My third child Joshua who is 15 just said “Mom what are you doing?” I said I am working on my blog for tomorrow. He said “ If you make money I should get 25 percent because you have four kids and I am 25 percent of what you write about”. Then he laughed and walked off! Good Gracious I wished I made a lot of money off of blogs ha! He is a silly child!

So I guess in ending I will ask you…If you made it to the end of this blog comment below. What do you think about decorating early? Crazy or not? Think I can sneak something out each day till all the sudden it looks like Christmas blew up in my house? Tis the Season J

Found this gem

Our family pic last year

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Introducing My Kids!!

Josh, Jack,Cassie, and Jason

Having four teenagers is like having a whole High School of kids living at your house. Yes, Yes I know it’s only four of them but we literally have every grade of High school in this house. Our Youngest is in 9^th Grade this year and our oldest is in 12^th grade . I never only have four teenagers living in this house either because someone always has a friend or two or three over. I even have a fifth child that is like our son because he is here so much. He was here more this summer than our own children. He even has a bed here that is his and a drawer for clothes. The first thing he always says to me is “Rae, I am hungry what are you making?” Yep that is JUST like our kids.

Jason, Josh, Cassie and Jackson

Growing up my mom only really ever let us have one person spend the night at a time. I like it better that the kids come here to this house. Let’s be honest…I want to know what they are doing. Am I a strict mom? My kids would definitely say yes. I would say that I am a loving mom who actually cares where they are and what they are doing at all points of the day. My kid’s friends don’t think we are strict because they know our kids are spoiled. We do a lot of family time, take them places all the time, they don’t really want for anything but my one son Joshua always jokingly says “this house is a prison” when I tell him things like 2 popsicles are more than enough. That cracks us up so much that Ryan and I even started to say it.

Our kids have chores every day and have to take care of their animals. They have to have their beds made and rooms clean. Homework done and then they can go off on the quads or play pool or swim. We don’t do the Xbox unless it’s a weekend and if we are going together as a family to an event or shopping or what not they have to come.  They have to have C’s or above. It’s their job to do well at school but we understand that some subject’s kids might struggle at. I mean heck I can’t even do my kids math homework! I have to send them to Ryan for that. I help with all the other subjects though. If they have less than C’s they don’t have any privileges because they apparently don’t have time to keep up their grades.  This doesn’t happen often but it has happened and it’s quickly corrected.

With four teenagers I have four VERY different personalities. I am very lucky though because they all get along well even though they have only been together for the last 7 years. Being a blended family with Ryan bringing in two children and I brought in two….I have heard that we are VERY blessed that they get along and see each other as brothers and sister. I can say to any of them…”go get your brother please” and they will always ask me “which one?”

Jackson

Jackson is our oldest. He is 17 going on what he wishes was 21. He loves sports and loves girl’s lol. I am sure that is just a 17 year old thing. If he dates though over time he is in love of all loves with that girl. Ryan and I just roll our eyes as he doesn’t know true love yet. He is a great driver and can spot a deer from the side of the road before I even see it. This is really helpful when you live on a ranch. He is kind but doesn’t like to show his feelings. He is the one that is always “learning” that our rules are there for a reason. He has been trying to spread his wings for some time now but is the child who actually doesn’t want to leave home. He is always saying he is going to leave and come right back. He is a protector of his siblings and a very hard worker at home. He is a bit of a trash talker but in a joking way. Its pretty darn funny. He loves sports and plays them well. He works at it and at it till he gets better and better. He is good with being a part of a team but he is very competitive on being the best that he can be. We are always telling him he needs to be more humble ha! Jack is definitely mechanical and is in the process of fixing our old BMW for himself. I am lucky because Jackson is the one kid that will sit down with you and talk and talk about what is going on in his day. I bonded with him so fast when we first met 7 years ago. He is definitely my son who I love very much!

Cassie

Cassie is next in line. She is 16. She is my overachiever who does not even want to get below an A-. I never have to ask her to clean her room as she always already has it done. He is kind of type A as she doesn’t want things moved and get anxiety if we clean her carpets and something might get moved out of place. She is an avid reader and loves to draw. I love that she draws. She has such talent and not just because I say that because I am her mother but because she just is really good. She has an eye for Art. Especially Anime which is Japanese Cartoon Art. Cassie beats to her own drum and doesn’t care. I love this about her because she isn’t afraid to be herself. She is more of a leader than a follower. She doesn’t care what people think of her. She definitely is the child who will tell you something but then turn it around to be in her favor. She has this amazing way of writing. I want to actually do a book with her and have her do the animation but truly I think she could do it all on her own. She is always writing manuscripts and they are amazing.  She is a cat lover but does love her puppy Sebastian. She is very caring and tries to show you through cards and paintings and such. Cassie also cares a lot about her family. She keeps every card ever given to her by family no matter what the occasion was. She loves music. Boy does this child love music. I think for two years she never didn’t have headphones on her head or around her neck. She knows almost every word to every song too. Even the oldies. That always amazes me. She can hear something and it just sticks in her head. To be the only girl in the house too is amazing because she can hold her own but she fights dirty. Trust me she can whip you with her tongue if she chose to. Luckily she doesn’t do it often. I love her very much! She is my princess.

Joshua

Joshua is our third child and by far the tallest child. At 15 years old he is already 6’3’’. It’s hard to look up at him and tell him to go to his room if he has been misbehaving. This doesn’t actually happen that often because Joshua definitely has a big moral compass. He is very black and white and not grey in the middle. This sometimes can get him in trouble as he will tell you exactly what he feels about a situation. Most of the time though he has a very valid point. At the same time though he is the one who tells us he is in trouble before we find out. All the other kids won’t even say anything until we find out. Joshua is definitely our goofy kid in the house. I still remember his first day of 7^th grade when he came to a new school. He walked down the hallway, did a somersault and then kept on walking like nothing ever happened. He is always cracking us up. He is pretty quick witted and can have a good comeback in no time flat. Joshua is sensitive though and doesn’t like it when people are mean to others especially if it’s to one of us. He still has a polar bear stuffed animal that his Nana gave to him before she passed away that is very special to him. He has a great memory too and always tells us stories of when he was “younger” and what he did.  He is a thinker and not much of a talker of his feelings. It has to be a pretty special day when he opens way up and tells you how he feels. These are the times we really sit down and listen. He is definitely my son that I love very much!

Jason

Jason is only 3 months younger than Joshua. He is going to be 15 this month. Jason is the youngest of the family and wears that title proudly. He sneakily can get out of work because he is younger and the older boys tend to do it. Jason is sensitive for sure. You have to be careful with how you joke with him as it may hurt his feelings. He is the kid though that will always hug you goodnight and always say I love you. He will search for you in the house to do it even and not go to bed till he has done it. Jason loves to be around people and yet likes his alone time also. He has many friends and blends in really well. He is very endearing as he will ask if you are okay if you hurt yourself. It’s funny though because we always tell him that he needs his hearing checked because he doesn’t always hear what you say. Once we said we were going to the store and he told all the other kids we went to go buy a new car. He swears he heard that. If the TV is on you can’t get his attention. He loves baseball and animals. He is very kind to all the animals and always willing to help with them. If you ask the other kids they say Jason gets away with the most. If you ask Jason though…his life is hardJ He is addicted to sugar and loves candy. If there is one piece left in the house he will definitely find it. Cracks me up every time. We used to load his stocking full of gum because he loves it so much.  He is definitely my son that I love very much!

I love my kids so much! They all have these great personalities and are going to grow up and really go far. They all have the love in their heart and are good people. For teenagers we are very blessed that they don’t get in trouble much. They love their family and we still get hugs from them. We are very blessed to have these kids. They are the apple of my eye, the light of my life. I don’t know what I would ever do without them. Man I sound super sappy but hey it’s true! I love them! Our love for our kids isn’t divided…..its multiplied!