As a parent, there are good days and bad days with your child. Of course, for most, the good far outweigh the bad. But every once in a while you experience a GREAT day with your child - a series of moments that you will hold in your heart forever and remember on those bad days. Today was one of those days for me. It wasn't because we went anywhere special, because it was a day of running errands. And it wasn't because anything remarkable happened - it was because of the little things. Whether it was my frame of mind, my attitude or his - it all worked today and by the end of the day, as I rocked him before bed, I could not help but cry in gratitude for my sweet baby boy.

I love you, little boy, because you give me hope in the hard times and you fill my heart with joy. You are a light on my dark moments and the laughter that fills my days. You have shown me more about who God is and why He loves me than anything else I have encountered in my 29 years. You are sweet and kind and loving beyond condition. Little boy, you have been my reason for trying harder, standing stronger and trusting more. When I was tempted to give in, your love for me and your faith in me to provide for you and keep you safe and lead the way, made me keep going just a little farther. I am so proud of you, my little boy, because you are growing in to a happy, confident and loving person. And today was a great day, my love, because I spent it holding you, laughing with you, watching you and playing with you. I love you for all that you are, and I thank you for allowing me to be super-mom in your eyes, even with all my faults. I am thankful for you, everyday, in every way, even in your terrible tantrums and stubborn fits. Today, little boy I am thankful for:

the way you lovingly touch my face when you need to be comforted, the way you pat my hand as you are starting to fall asleep, the sentences you are starting to speak, your willingness to "help" in the kitchen, your sweetness when you cracked the eggs on the floor, our "I love you" shouting matches, your firm hugs in the grocery store, your sweet songs in the car, your need to have me see everything you see and do everything you do and the simple fact that you want me where you are. For all of these reasons, and so many more, you make my cup runneth over. Little boy, you have changed my world.

Love,

mommy

So, today was a GREAT day. It was made even sweeter by the knowledge that he is leaving tomorrow to spend Thanksgiving with his dad. And I will miss him every second. Luke used his big boy potty today and was so excited when he did. Nana, Paw Paw and I celebrated like idiots and Luke could not stop grinning. These dorky parent-moments make every day so interesting and exciting.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I hope you enjoy your family, friends and feasts.

You've Got a Friend in Me

This weekend I was Dallas-bound for a little R&R with the best friend and her fabulous family. Her family recently added a new addition about 5 weeks ago and I was anxious to hold that little guy. So I committed myself to driving the 4 hours it takes to reach their house. It is not the best drive ever, especially when you are travelling solo. But my ipod and one Mr. Nicholas Sparks helped considerably on that front.

I had expected a stay-in weekend of baby cuddling and girl-talk. However, the Skaggs had other things up their thrifty sleeves. We had not one, but two nights of activities. It was fun to get out and about in Dallas and to explore the DBU campus and the downtown holiday festivities. And the other perk was that I got to hang out with some old UMHB friends that I hadn't seen in a while. There was laughter and Cattan-playing and some Christmas Merryment.

I arrived home today, ready to see my toddler and excited about the week ahead. A few more days of school and then a long holiday weekend. I can't believe there is only 2 weeks left of school. The countdown begins. But before I sign off for the night, and cozy myself into bed, I want to leave you readers with a brief rundown of why I love the Skaggs family.

- They are a back-to-the-basics family that is not showy or fancy in any way.

- They laugh at all of my jokes and make a few of their own.

- They are honest about everything and are accepting of your honesty as well.

- They are models of how a healthy family runs and operates on the day-to-day.

- They are the same in public as they are behind closed doors.

- They know how to save a buck.

- They are easy to talk to.

- They know my past and are not afraid to make fun of me for it.

- They know what they like and aren't afraid to ask for it.

- They value their friends and make every effort to hold them accountable.

So there you go. Some good reasons that explain why I would be willing to drive 4 hours, alone and in the rain, to spend the weekend with them. Plus, they sort of asked me (in a round about way) to write a list on my blog about them. Doesn't make it less true though.

Oh, My Starry-Eyed Surprise

Well, today was a first for me. Today, I was one of those proud parents that watches from the stands as their child performs. By "perform" I mean in the traditional two-year old sense, which is to say... just standing there and looking cute. There was singing and gesturing, both of which my son tried. However, he was only half-committed. The rest of his commitment was devoted to looking around, waving and watching the older kids perform. But that is how it is supposed to go, right? I mean, don't all parents expect to sit through these things at some point or another? Well, this was a first for me and I loved every minute. I had a smile from ear to ear as I watched him do his thing. In that moment I was proud to be one of the many parents with a camera plastered to their face.

He entered the place with an air of confidence and poise that quickly crumbled once he saw Nana and I in the front row. While his excitement was adorable, the lack of attention and focus was a weighty challenge for his teachers. It took a bot to get him in place and ready to engage. And once that goal was achieved, it was short-lived. It didn't take long for my little guy to turn around, sit down and stare blankly at everyone else dancing and singing.

But when he did get the moves out, they were riveting. Although they were a bit delayed, they completely captured my heart. And yes, I was mimicking the moves very animatedly in my seat in an effort to get him motivated. Let me say that it did not work.

What a great morning. My journey as proud parent is just beginning. Here is to many more "shows" to come.

And now for something completely unrelated:

PawPaw found a wonderful hiding spot for Luke that is conveniently portable. All you have to do is look at his face to know how much he loved this game. In fact, the next day he carried the luggage from PawPaw's closet all the way to the kitchen, banging it on every surface along the way, just to show me how he can get inside.

Weird-List Wednesday #1

I really like Wednesdays. It has a little to do with Glee and a lot to do with the feeling of another week being half way over. In my reflective moments, I am not a huge fan of the passing of time - it goes too fast and before you know it your baby is 2 and a half and you are almost thirty. But, when we consider the week, Wednesday just means you are halfway to the weekend and fun things happen on the weekend. Bottom line: I like Wednesdays and so I am now instituting weird-list Wednesday. As the name implies, I will be making a list on Wednesday of things that seem interesting or important to me, but are probably inconsequential to everyone else. This serves two purposes, you get to know more about my inner thoughts and I get to make lists. It's a win-win.

For this weeks list, I had a hard time debating between two topics. But ultimately, it came to what I could no to stop dwelling on and what I needed to get off of my chest. A few days ago, in my birthday post, I discussed my feeling that my flaws were getting more pronounced. This is so true. Or maybe I am just much more aware of them. Either way, it is annoying now to be both acutely aware of my flaws and also unable to find the drive to stop them. At least before I was blissfully unaware of my need to change, now I am just too set in my ways to try. But, I digress, this weeks list is all about...

Things I Need to Change, but Probably Won' t Anytime Soon

1. My annoyance of people who have a different opinion than me

on something that I am pretty passionate about.

2. My desire to confront and verbalize my feelings when I feel wronged.

3. My love for teen dramas and other overly unrealistic dramas.

4. My un-involvement in matters of current events, both local and national-

except for those steeped in the world of pop culture.

5. My preference for a casual laid back look that generally requires

very little effort and doesn't always show my best.

...AND MANY MORE!!!

Twenty nine years ago, on this day, I was born. Well, actually, it's midnight now so I was born yesterday. But, you get the point. There is so much I could talk about in my recollection of my years of life. Definite high points and some major low points. But I would not change it. I am one of those no-regrets people. I think you take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and then you have... the facts of life. Seriously though, I am blessed beyond measure for this life. Even in the year I have had, even with the tears I have cried... my cup has runneth over. But, as I approach 30, I can say that the good gets better and the bad gets worse. What I mean is this: the things I about me that are positive have just gotten better and I have become more confident in them. And those things that I don't like about myself, those flaws and hang ups, have become more entrenched and more pronounced. I was nervous about 30, and I was dreading it. And with a year to go now, I am not so worried. Getting older has meant finding myself and really liking myself for the person I have become and the choices I have made. I have found out that I make my own decisions and I have the ability, faith and sense to do that well. In the past I have struggled with a fear of making choices and a fear of having those choices met with disapproval. And these fears debilitated me from doing what I felt was right for me. I did what I should and I did what I thought would get me the gold star. But now, after this year, I am feeling freedom to be my own advocate and to share my voice without fear. I have come to find that I like me most of the time.

So here are some things I am going to do this year:

1. Get better at remembering and acknowledging birthdays

2. Read a new book every month

3. Organize my photos

4. Get a teaching degree

5. Make at least one new girl friend

6. Give blood

7. Lose 10 pounds

8. Learn to french braid

9. Take my son on vacation

10. Start writing again

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ME!!!

It has been a heck-of-a year, but man was it filled with some great moments.

Thanks to everyone who called or texted today. It meant a lot.

And thanks to my family, who really made this birthday week great.

Love you all!

Leslie

Pictures from my birthday week celebrations. L- at Bucca de Beppo and R- at Canyon Lake

Your Mountain is Waiting

As I have said before, I like to read. And I like to be a well-rounded reader. These days I am reading more textbooks and kids books than anything else. But I am learning that there is a great deal of wisdom to be found out there in those books. For instance, I have become captivated by my history textbook. All of the historical stories are really making me interested in history for the first time. So much so that I am in the process of planning a trip to Boston for next fall. But also, I am learning from my son's books as well. Just the other day we were sitting in his room reading Dr. Seuss and I was still invested in the book long after he had given up listening and moved to another task. Something in those Seussian words spoke to me. I felt understood, encouraged and reminiscent. Here are some lines and pictures that moved me:

Congratulations!

Today is your day.

You're off to Great Places!

You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself

any direction you choose.

You're on your own.

And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

Wherever you fly, you'll be best of the best.

Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you DON'T.

Because, sometimes, you WON'T.

Bang-ups

and

Hang-ups

CAN happen to you.

You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly perch.

And your gang will fly on.

You'll be left in a Lurch.

And when you're in a Slump,

you're not in for much fun.

Un-slumping yourself

is not easily done.

I'm afraid that sometimes

you'll play lonely games too.

Games you can't win

'cause you'll play against you.

ALL ALONE!

Whether you like it or not,

Alone will be something

you'll be quite a lot.

But on you will go

though the weather be foul.

On you will go

though your enemies prowl.

On you will go

though the Hakken-Kraks howl.

Onward up many a frightening creek,

though your arms may get sore

and your sneakers may leak.

On and on you will hike.

And I know you'll hike far

and face up to your problems

WHATEVER they are.

You'll get mixed up

with many strange birds as you go.

So be sure when you step.

Step with care and great tact

and rememnber that Life's

a Great Balancing Act.

Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting.

So... GET ON YOUR WAY!

Happy, Happy. Joy, Joy.

I can't believe that it has been a week since I last blogged. Time really flies when you are multi-tasking through your life. I have been meaning to write and I have lots of ideas in my brain to write about, but everything has taken a back seat this week because... Sunday is my birthday!!! Thus, this is my birthday week. It has long been a tradition in my family to stretch the birthday fanfare to include the week before. Birthday week is like a free pass for getting the things that you want. You get to pick the movies, the games, the restaurants, the dessert, the activities... everything is at your whim for that one week. And believe me, I am enjoying my reign. My week started last weekend when the fam and I went to Canyon Lake to celebrate. We ate and played and even made it to the Wurstfest... which was mostly just an excuse for people to walk around with pitchers of beer and eat meat on a stick. That part wasn't very fun, but the rest of the weekend was. And then tonight a larger group of family members went to Bucca de Beppo for a birthday dinner. This was my 5th year in a row to eat Bucca for my birthday and I am a sucker for traditions. So, only 4 more days in my birthday week and I am spending my time wisely. However, now I must go and study for my World Geography quiz tomorrow. Even a birthday girl has to buckle down and get to work... as it turns out, Lonestar College doesn't care whose birthday week it is. Bummer.

Hello, McFly

These days, my head is filled with so many facts that I feel like it might explode. I am really liking all the new tricks this old brain is learning and I feel my mind growing ever bigger. But... this body and this brain are TIRED folks!! Only 5 more weeks to go in this semester and I am feeling the weight of all the work. It's crunch time for me. Time to do a gut check and just suck it up. Grin and bear it. Bite the bullet. Go big or go home. You get the point. I am regretting adding another class that is only 8 weeks long. This class is fast and furious and not all that exciting. But... the show must go on. (Man, this post is full of cliches). I have another History test to take on Friday morning and I am cramming info into my brain as fast as I can. Who knows how long it will stay there but for now it is trying to take root.

Things that keep me sane:

- This weekend, because my family and I (minus the squirt) are going to New Braunfels to relax and unwind. And I need it (read above paragraph to see why)

- This weather. It has been so nice that we have taken every opportunity to go outside and be active. Today we went to a picnic in the park and it was really beautiful and fun.

- My new Sunday School class, which I am liking a lot. I am on the verge of throwing myself into the mix with reckless abandon. But for now I am on the outskirts, testing the waters.

- The holiday season and the plans that are already brewing.

- Being nearly done with my Christmas shopping for Luke.

- Having a good excuse to let the baby sleep in my bed last night. He was feverish and I needed to keep an eye on him). Who doesn't love to cuddle their little one every chance you can?

- Planning a vacation for next year.

Well, this post marks 5 more weeks of long, tedious hours of school punctuated with active hours of mothering. Makes for one exhausted me. Off I go to study for my test. All work and no play make Leslie an A student. TaTa.