Knock the dust off

Today is one of favorite days of the year.  The coming days will be mornings of low-key calmness, more family time, vacations, the smell of sunscreen and staying up until the sun goes down.  Being with my girls is one of my favorite activities.  Don't get me wrong, the "DD's" (Dueling Diva's) whom my dad so aptly named, have their moments, or days.  Getting under my skin seems to be one of their favorite past-times but with all that said, they are great girls and I love them and love being around them. 

This day is an accomplishment for us.  Remembering back to the 3rd day of school when I was not allowed to walk my little EJ to her kindergarten class and instant bawling ensued.  Seeing the tears in her eyes broke my heart.  She clung to me like her life depended on it and she was not letting go.  Being her security is my job and I had to give her up and trust that she would be taken care of.  Thankfully I was able get her down the hall to her class, she was still bawling and now sister and I had joined in.  EJ's teacher was standing in the doorway.  Finally I peeled her off my hip, little razor fingernails cut into my neck.  Handing her over instant relief and peace came over me when I saw her teacher scoop her up and hold her. I knew then that she was in great hands.  I was able to walk away knowing that she was being cared for and taken care of. 

My mini-me had a great 2nd grade year.  She's grown leaps and bounds in her reading and is now above level.  She is already excited about starting 3rd grade and learning about cursive writing and multiplication. 

My girls continue to amaze me. They are resilient and roll with the punches even when their normal routine shifts while Joe is gone on trips.  I am proud to be their mom, I am proud that they are obedient (for the most part), show respect to others, practice their manners and try their best in school.  Banana splits were on the menu tonight as an end of year surprise treat.  One of my favorite things is to surprise people.  I, myself, hate surprises but I love giving them.  Thank you girls for loving your momma, thank you for telling me often, thank you for holding my hand and hanging out with me.  Hope that never changes.... (Read this when you are 15)

I look forward to spending this summer with you.

 

Enjoy your family~

Happy National Angela Day

Today I had a birthday. 

8 years ago I gave birth to my first born daughter 4 days before I turned 25. 

I am horrible at math and I still know that the total equals me turning 33 today. (correct, dad?) :-)

My birthdays used to mean celebrating all month long. I loved and still do love birthdays but when it falls so close to your child's it starts falling on the back burner.  That's perfectly fine with me because I have memories of fantastic birthdays and now its my turn to creating great memories for my girls. 

Today I am thankful for:
Face Moisturizer because my skin does not look, act or feel 25 anymore. 
My gray hair that I keep finding spurting out the top of my head.  
The bags under my eyes. I inherited them from my dad and will forever remember him every time I look in the mirror.
A husband who doesn't care about any of the issues I just stated. 

I am thankful for my health, my children, their health, my husband, family.  I am thankful I am able to work from home and stay close to my kids if/when they ever need me.  I am thankful for God and for his constant loving of me even when I feel its not deserved.  Many blessings have been handed to me and many more to come.



Enjoy your family~

This Year

Mom's make sacrifices.  Mom's put everyone's needs first over there own and we wouldn't have it any other way.  Small things like serving up their kids meals first or keeping your child's clothes and shoe supply well stocked while you are still wearing things from 1999. 

This year I've decided this is the year of me.  I am taking care of me and making time for me.

For 8 years now its been all about the kids and the hubby and that's the way its supposed to be.  Let me clarify, I am in no way complaining about my family, I love my family more than life itself and I would die for any one of them but in recent years I have slowly started to loose me.  I feel like I've given, given and given more and in the process I'm loosing myself.  Some days its all about going through the motions and just trying to make it to bedtime so I too can crash in bed. 

Goodness, I will do simple things like wash my face before I go to bed or bigger things like enjoy a long weekend away with my husband.  This year I will do whatever I think is needed in order for me to clear my mind and be a better wife and mom. 

Other things on my list:
More working out
More pedicures
More blogging
More lunch dates with the Mr.
More massages
More sitting back and listening to music
More shutting the bathroom door after dinner and enjoying a bubble bath
Did I mention more working out ???
More praying over my family
More house cleaning done by a professional
More shopping so I am not wearing the same 3 outfits

Looking forward to starting to feel like "me" again. 



Enjoy your family~

Happy Thanksgiving 2013

The difference between last Thanksgiving and this is mind boggling to me.  Looking back on time it truly seems to fly by. Wasn't it just last week that Joe was deployed? He's already been home almost 7 months already.  Thanksgiving Day last year was hard for me and I just want to take a moment to say how thankful I am that he is warm and toasty laying next to me in bed.  Snuggling up next to him last night remembering how I felt so alone and sad the night before Thanksgiving last year, remembering that all I wanted to do was reach out in bed and feel him on his side but all I felt was emptiness.  Switch gears: Sad story over but just know that I am THANKFUL so thankful to have him home.

I am thankful for all the troops deployed (and spouses) this holiday season. 


Happy Thanksgiving all! 



Enjoy your family~

Who needs an ACL anyways?

It has been brought to my attention that I have not blogged in awhile.  To be quiet honest with you I have kind of felt uninspired.  There has been stuff going on my our world but I honestly don't really feel like blogging about it.  Here is a quick recap of one thing that has been going on....

The middle of September Joe had ACL surgery.  He promised me he would be a better patient than he has been in the past.  The last time he had knee surgery, even though it was just a scope, it was painful and due to his lack of patience with the recovery process he pushed it and went back to work far too soon.  This time around he agreed, took three weeks off and was/is more patient with the recovery.  It is a long process though- Holy moly- 4 weeks into it and his knee is still swollen and he is still walking on crutches.  Keeping his spirits up is starting to get harder and harder.  I know its hard for him to still be limping and unable to walk without assistance and I sense his frustration.  We celebrate the small victories.  Putting his own shoes on or walking 3 steps alone, bending his knee at 90 degrees or driving.  Physical therapy is helping and hopefully very soon he will be off the crutches and walking without pain.

The day after his surgery he started this leg machine.  30 degree's caused him pain but Dr's orders stated he had to exercise in the machine 3 times a day for 2 hours each time.  In 14 days he increased 30 degrees to 100.  It was hard for me to see him experience pain.  Watching someone you love, who is insanely independent, in pain, struggling, needing help with simple tasks is sad to watch.  I am so thankful I was here to help him and even more thankful he let me help him.  So, to recap the moral of this story- Take care of your knee's so you wont need ACL surgery one day.






Enjoy your family~

 

 

 

 

 

September Memories

This day last year we were 14 days away from embarking on a deployment.  Dread filled every inch of my body.  I remember the bags.  I remember the packing and I remember the savoring every moment aspect of our last 2 weeks together as a family.  This year I am SO thankful I don't have that sense of dread,  I am SO thankful I am not overtaken by sadness and fear of the unknown.  I am SO thankful my husband will be home with us on Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. 

Give your husband or wife an extra hug and kiss today in honor of all the deployed members who cannot hug or kiss their spouse.  Be thankful for your loved one today.  Savor each moment.  Savor each touch and smell because besides the obvious of just missing him being home, I missed his smell.  I am so happy he is home. 







Enjoy your family~

Dear Ava

Dear Ava,

Eighteen months or so ago, you started asking a lot of questions regarding Jesus, him living in your heart, heaven, hell and death.  At the time I tried to answer them the best I could without thoroughly confusing you or scaring you.  We left it at that and you seemed to understand the story of Jesus.  Fast forward 6ish months later and we were fish-sitting, yes- babysitting a fish.  Aunt Jackie and her family were on family vacation and we watched their fish, Blueberry for the week.  We all ended up getting attached to that silly fish and ended up keeping him several weeks after Aunt Jackie got home.  Finally we decided it was time to return him only to get a phone call a couple days later stating that Blueberry had died.  I made the comment that Blueberry was now in fish heaven and that started your 20 questions again regarding heaven, hell, getting saved and death.

That afternoon, August 3, 2012, while sitting in our living room you gave your heart to Jesus and became not only my daughter but my sister in Christ.  What a precious moment we got to spend together in the minutes after.  Forever will I be thankful that I got to lead my daughter to the Lord.  You are my life, you are my world.  Your future is bright and you already have a calling on your life. You love talking about God, praying to God and telling everyone about him.  Do not let that fire burn out.

This August 4th we came together as a family and had you baptized.  It was a special moment in your life and I wanted the people who meant the most to you to watch you get baptized.  An added bonus was your Pappy is an ordained minister and was the one baptizing you.  You both have a special relationship and I know that him being the one to baptize you really meant a lot.  I love you Ava with my entire heart and I cannot wait to see what else God has in store for your amazing life.  Momma and dad are so proud of you.  We love you!!!

**Can't really see in the photo but you wanted the cake to say "Happy Baptism Day" so in true Franco fashion we celebrated this occasion with a cake! 



Enjoy your family~