Life Lessons....

So, it's been a while... a long while.
I've taken a bit of a mental break.  A much needed break.

While I love this little space, it does take much effort and time to keep up.  I guess I went through a sort of burnout.

I LOVE CRAFTING, THRIFTING, RE-CREATING, YOU-NAME-IT... but, it all takes time.  And when you have 3 littles under foot, you just need to put some things into perspective.  Family first.  Family FIRST.

Don't get me wrong... I've never struggled with priorities.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I put my children and husband first and everything else falls into place after that.... and me?  Well, I'm usually last on that list.  That is, until 2 months ago.  I realized that if I didn't start putting ME a little higher on that list, then all else in my life would start to failing.

My girl-babe is starting school in the fall.  Oh. My.  I don't even want to think about it.  My whole life, I feel, was formed, shaped, guided-by-fate to be a mom.  And I know I'll always be a mom to these 3 little wonders; but, in all honesty - I am the woman who could have been a mom to TEN little wonders.

But, my resolve...

My resolve...

I know I can only have three.... and my time to be the full-on-full-time mom is coming to an end. 

I needed to take stock.  Put ME first. 

Holy Crap!  Did I just say 'Put ME first'?

I did.  And, I have.

Time to reclaim this body of mine.... time to think of what I want out of this life (aside from the obvious - my family).

I've joined the gym.  Working with a trainer who is amply qualified to kick my A**!  And - I'M LOVING IT!  I. LOVE. IT.

I am a consultant for an AMAZING direct sales company which I believe in WHOLEHEARTEDLY!

And, when September finally comes, which I know, inevitably, it will.  I will have some free time to fill with another Mom-preneurial side business....  but, until then....

Drink in EVERY. SINGLE. MOMENT I have left with this sweet little lady and her brothers... I cannot miss a thing.  I owe it to her, I owe it to her brothers.  And most of all, I deserve - DESERVE - to relish every second while I can - while they'll still let me.

I had the best compliment a mom could get yesterday on Mother's Day...

'My mom is as special as LEGO.'

I love my life... what else can I say?

Happy Belated Mother's Day.  **Miss you B  ((((HUGS))))**

;)

The best thing...

On Mother's Day, I am grateful for the beautiful little family my husband and I have created...

I remember a time when I couldn't ever see children in my future... there were many reasons for not wanting them... of course, that all changed when my husband and I started babysitting our nieces... the urge to have our own took over and here we are today with three of the most loving and beautiful children...

There's nothing like hearing a child say they love you... they love you when you're angry, they love you when you're fixing their boo-boos, they love you just for making pancakes for breakfast... what could be more perfect???

My feelings for my children are so overwhelming... when I think of them and the things they've accomplished in their short little lives, I am so overcome with pride that I could cry... That's what it is to be a Mom...

The best thing about my life is being a Mom to my three little monkeys(and of course, being a wife to the best man I know :D )... xoxoxo

L, M and C, my life could never be complete without you... thank you for loving me and allowing me to be the Mommy you so deserve... I will try my very best to make you proud of me...

Things from our Mothers...

On Mother's day, I think we all try to reflect upon the things that we remember most, find most endearing, or have learned from our mothers... I learned several things from my Mother, here are just a few of them...

~ always keep a tidy house, you never know when someone will stop by unexpectedly
~ never say you hate someone, hate is a very strong word
~ smile lots (of course, pull it back a notch when you start looking Joker-psycho)
~ stand up straight
~ my love of baking and cooking... home-cooking is the best, it's the only way to ensure what goes in to our bodies (although, had you asked me as a child if I wanted McDonald's over liver and onions, I'm sure I would have gladly accepted the nutritionally defunct fast food)

and my all-time fave-oh-rit!... drum roll, please...

~ NEVER, NEVER shave above the knee, of course she said it would make me sick, but, as time passed, I knew that wasn't true... and as an adult I am grateful for the initial fear she instilled in me... to this day I have never had the need to shave above the knee... :D

Now... I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge a few of the great Mother's I know... if I forget someone, please accept my apologies and know that I love you...

Tasha... my BFF, I admire you sooo much for raising two well-mannered, handsome young men on your own, and for taking a leap that will forever change your lives in such a positive way - chase all of your dreams and catch them one by one, you deserve the very best that life has to offer... And to your Mom, Diane, for raising such a beautiful, kind-of-heart spirit... and for making me and my family feel like part of yours... you truly are a Mom-to-all...xo

Becky... my beautiful and strong friend... I am by your side and here to lend you my shoulder, hand, heart... foot to kick cancer's butt... you will win this battle and when we are old and gray and sipping on white wine, we'll say "remember when?"...xo

Kim... my generous and gorgeous friend... thank you for embracing me as your friend... you give to everyone around you and expect nothing in return but friendship... I respect you sooo much...xo

Sherry... my friend and neighbour... what took us so long to find each other??? I love laughing with you, and I especially look forward to our morning and afternoon conversations when we're walking the kids back and forth to school... thank you...xo

This weekend, I thank my Mother, Lauren, for giving me life... because it was that beginning that helped set the path for what would be my future... a path that was riddled with highs and many lows... but a path nonetheless, that lead me to becoming the strong and loving person I am today... Thanks, Mom.

And to all of the other Mother's I know...Paula, Jacquie, Laurie, Kristen, Nicole, Jane, Crystal, Rebecca, Sharon, Jamie... the list could go on forever...

Happy Mother's day to all of you and all of the other great Mom's out there... I hope you all enjoy your day... ;)