Time to Update My Profile?

After I put up my last post I caught a glimpse of my profile...I think it's time to update. I will do that as soon as I'm done here.

Firsts and Lasts

It's Thursday evening which means Ray is bowling. It seems like just last week that, when Ray would bowl I'd be home with the kids watching while they did homework or running to Target for something they need for school. My how things have changed! These days David is usually gone visiting his girlfriend or attending a Honda meet. My usual companions on Thursday nights are Nicole and her boyfriend Chuck. I really enjoy spending time with them; they get along well and seem to enjoy each other's company very much. I remember when I used to bowl with Ray. The kids would go with us and have dinner at the bowling alley. In between bowling I would go and sit with them. It was fun for a while but then they got a little older and started staying home while we bowled. It's amazing how quickly that happened; one day they were always with me and the next they were old enough to stay home. Sometimes I see young mothers treating their kids like little adults. It breaks my heart because they don't realize that much too soon your children are adults and all you have are memories of them. I believe that "firsts" are important memories for children but "lasts" are important memories for parents. "Lasts" are: the last time you change their diaper, the last time you carry your child on your hip, the last time you give them a bath. Celebrate the "firsts" but treasure the "lasts". On another note, I've been complaining to Ray lately that I don't have anything of my own. In order to avoid becoming a whiny, needy woman I've decided to dedicate more time to my blog. I like writing because I never know where it's going to end up. Tonight I sat at my computer and started with one subject and ended up writing about something else entirely. I hope if you're reading this you'll follow my blog and leave a comment every once in a while. Please continue to pray for our troops overseas. Be good to your loved ones and yourself. God bless you!

Update On My Life

When I started blogging a few years ago I decided to write about things that happened in my life, sharing my experiences and putting my thoughts about my life in writing. Then suddenly my life got incredibly busy and I didn't have time to think about my life, much less write about it. Well, now my children are almost adults, I'm a grandmother and there are times that I find myself at loose ends because I have nothing to do but watch TV. Time has passed by so quickly! Nicole is in her senior year in high school and we're preparing for her graduation. She was co-captain of the varsity volley ball team (she made the team her freshman year) and is currently coaching a youth team with her friend, Anyssa. She has a boyfriend (they've been together a year now) and a driver's license and a car! Thankfully, her boyfriend is a great guy and they get along well. I really like him, not only as her boyfriend but as a person. So far he's taken her to the prom and homecoming. It was really fun getting her ready for those events. Sometimes my heart hurts when I realize I will never again see my curly-headed 5-year old again. What I wouldn't give to spend a day with that little girl again. I actually have voice mails from her between the ages of 5 - 7 saved on my voice mail at work. Sometimes I listen to them just to hear that baby voice again. I wonder if there's a way to put them on a CD or something? My David is 20 years old now and out of high school. He reminds me of his father so much! He's had some ups and downs in his life but seems to be figuring things out so I'm pretty proud of him. He is hoping to get into a program at college to become a diesel mechanic. Cars have always been a huge interest for him and I'm happy that he will be able to make a living doing something he really loves. He has a girlfriend and she has been a positive influence in his life. I like her and I like when they spend time here at home with us. She recently invited him to the Sadie Hawkins dance at school...it was incredibly sweet and I'm looking forward to seeing them go. Graduation this year will be special because both Nicole and David's girlfriend will be graduating. Candie and Thomas are living close by now. Thomas left the Army after Noah was born and is now gainfully employed. Candie works part time and is an incredible mother to her son. They are looking for a house to buy and Noah is now a 4-year old little boy. While Candie was going to school for her EMT license, we had the pleasure of taking care of him until his daddy got off work. It was wonderful to spend evenings with him, watering the roses, palm trees and Lantana in the yard. He's so smart, loves the ocean and performing. I will have to devote an entire blog to Noah because the child is absolutely incredible! Rick and Mandy are still together and seem to be happy. They get along well and I'm grateful that they have made a nice life for themselves. This past Christmas I suddenly realized that all of my children are paired off and I had a wave of nostalgia thinking about what it was like before I met Ray, when the kids were all young. I can't close before saying a little bit about my life with Ray. We are preparing to celebrate out 8th wedding anniversary next month! We hope to renew our vows for our 10th anniversary (if we were younger we would wait until our 25th but we didn't get married until we were 51 so you do the math-LOL) I have to say, our life together just flows along. When we married we decided God would be first in our marriage and I think that's the secret. We are practicing Catholics, and somehow our faith seems to be cementing our relationship. I love spending time with him and never tire of talking with him about stuff. I am hoping to continue blogging on a more regular basis from now on. God bless everyone and please be kind to everyone you know.