I like the ME that I See

Over year ago I was still living in Florida, working my real estate job and living my life as a full time single mom to the rugrats, carrying on the long distance relationship with Mr. Man as we got reaquainted with each other all over again. We were together at least every other weekend for 18 months, he came to Florida most weekends, I traveled too. We loved meeting on Tybee Island for Honeymoon weekends!  

Halloween 2009 ~ I was in a wheelchair and they took turns pushing, I was still able to be a part of the Trick or Treat Fun!

During the week, the kids and I stayed busy as ever with a packed schedule. I kept us occupied and doing things together; We had library night weekly, BFF dinner night, Spaghetti night with the kids sometimes,  Mexican dinner night out most weeks and the monthly Art Walk down town as well as events going on at the beach, we were there if at all possible. I always tried to have as much FUN with the rugrats and their friends as possible. Mr. Man fit nicely into our family and spent time with my daughter one on one at the Pier fishing as well as taking the time to get to know my teenage son and ALL his friends.

  ME with my son May 2010 ( hard to get him to take a photo with mom any more)

There were many extra rugrats (teenagers) in our home; since my son was in 7th grade, he asked if a kid could stay with us for a bit because his mom lived in a hotel and his friend was riding a city bus to get to the school bus stop out side our apartments. I said yes and that began the consistent flow of kids that were in need for many years. Our house was always FULL of extra bodies but they were safe and that made me happy ~ The Ultimate  "Paying It Forward" that I could do! I miss my extra 'kids', I love them all and think about them, still worry about some.... and pray for them all (Another Blog subject entirely)

ME in 2001 ~ I've come a LONG way since his Middle School years!!!

As I prepared for Open house tonight for my daughter's 7th grade year, I looked in the mirror at an entirely different person from 1 year ago and way different from the woman I was 8 years ago as I took my son to Middle school.

I like the woman I see; wise beyond her years, compassionate and empathetic, more calm and relaxed about life, accepting of the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. Knowledge of self really opens your eyes to others, I think its like the quote I read once says...What we see in others is a direct reflection of ourselves, good and bad.

ME in November 2008 ~ I took this and framed it as a gift for MR. Man

What I see in others that I like, I can try to emulate because that is a reflection of who I want to be, if it is something I don't like , I realize its something I need to work on within myself. There is always room for improvement and as I mature, I will continually look for the good in others so I can learn from them.

ME with my Daughter March 2010 ~ We both celebrated Birthdays ~ she is now 12 =)

The lines in my face, the body that is now 40,  the stubborn white hair that I have to cover up, the aches and pains, the body parts that just don't work like they used to or stay the same, but nothing stays the same, change is inevitable!  I look at these photos and see how much the rugrats have grown in just the last 2 years. I am proud to be their Mom ~ they challenge me and encourage me without even being aware of the impact it has on my life, to have the privilege of giving them life still amazes me sometimes! 

I embrace it, it is challenging but necessary for us to evolve and grow so we can live to our full potential! 

ME with Mr. Man on Tybee Island for his 41st Birthday celebration!

I like the ME that I See  ~ 5 years ago I would not have imagined feeling this way!

It's another one of those miracles in my life.....I am Blessed!

Friday Ramblings

Attended Savanna's concert last night honoring Veterans who serve our country ~ I got a ride with her Dad & it went pretty smoothly. Took alot of photos but the lighting in the room was dim with florescents and they didn't turn out too good even with a kick ass camera! The song the kids were singing about living in the heart of America brought tears to my eyes as I am patriotic to the the core of my soul. Having lived overseas as a child I can appreciate the freedoms we have here in this country and Thank God for the Veterans who daily give their time away from family to protect our freedoms.

I was also emotional about being there to see Savanna perform... I realize every day how lucky I am to still be here and to be able to watch my children grow and flourish into the prosperous adults they will become is such a blessing :) Its AMAZING how very fast they grow up!! It seems like just yesterday she was nursing at my breast and sleeping all the time... had not even learned the word "NO" yet... now she tries to argue with me!! I am apprehensive about the teen years to come ~ they say payback from our childhood comes thru with our own children and if that is the case then I am in for it! Being a Preachers Kid I lived up to the name to a certain degree....soooo at least I can say there is hardly anything she can do that I have not already done, at least I will be wiser than my parents were in that respect =)

This is the end of my first full week back to work and it has been long and tiring at times but I am glad to feel productive again. My house is trying to stay in order and I have alot of work to do this weekend to keep it that way... something else that is NEVER done!! WHY? WHY can't someone answer that for me? In my next life I will have a full staff ~ a promise I am making to myself. Getting back on my feet is great but learning my limitations is a completely other thing as limitations was NOT in my vocabulary prior to the accident...its hard to walk slower than a 96 year old grandma and to see the old folks passing me by in their walkers at the hospital is not something I will ever get used to and I wont b/c I know this is only temporary! Every day I seem to get a little stronger and my foot feels a little less pain unless I am on it too long that is... I am wondering when I will be able to wear my cute shoes again... I know it will be awhile....I miss my shoes!

So, blogging is kind of addictive ~ I have so much down time right now...so many thoughts I cannot gather them fast enough or my fingers cannot type fast enough... not sure which it is. I went to have a cocktail with Savanna's dad last night before the concert and we took her to Japanese Steakhouse dinner afterwards...the most time I have been around him in quite awhile. We have been living separate lives and its been difficult to even communicate about Savanna so I tried to make the conversation all about her and how we can work as a team to be the best parents we can be for her ~ that's what she really needs from us and we cannot give her anything else at this point except 2 parents that get along and have her best interests at heart. I feel we made alot of progress last night ~ I hope we can move forward and continue what we started. I truly wish him only the best and in time hopefully he will want that for me as well.