When do you know that your quiver is full?

In the Bible, not sure which passage because I'm lame, it talks about having a quiver...the family you are to have under God. Every one's quiver is a different size...some with kids, some without. How do I know how many kids are supposed to be in my quiver? Why is the transition to two kids from one so difficult to make? I feel like Carrie Bradshaw off of "Sex in the City." Instead of posting info about an outrageous sex life, I'm talking about boogers, poop patterns, and when to have another child. Is there something wrong with me that I don't have that, "I can't wait to have another," feeling. Motherhood has been more trying than anything I've ever accomplished in my life. My husband and I took a trip to Mexico before the Swine Flu outbreak, and it was the most amazing week I've had in a long time. No responsibility, just me and my Zune on the beach and by the pool. It was a week of being my old self. On one of the talk shows recently, they discussed the whole "Mom" thing. They said that after having kids, you can never return to who you were before having kids, but you have to reinvent yourself. This is so true. The hard part is finding your identity once you have a kid. Getting past just being Hank's Mom, as if that shouldn't be enough. However, you are constantly asking yourself, "Where did I go?" Being a Mom should be the definition of sacrifice. Don't get me wrong, I love my son and being his mother, but can I do this all again...advice would be great! Happy Blogging!

Just a precious little monster...seriously, I love him!

HANK DECIDED TO READ HIS BIRTHDAY CARD FROM HIS GRANDMA AND GRANDPA MASON OVER AND OVER. IT'S MY DAD'S VOICE SINGING THE SPECIAL SONG HE CREATED FOR HANKER. THE SONG IS BASED ON AN OLD RICE-A-RONI COMMERCIAL.

Proud to be my mother's daughter...

I never understood the devotion, the dedication, the sacrifice, and the unconditional love of a mother until I became a mother. Last night as I watched my son laughing and looking at my mom with such adoring and trusting eyes, tears came to my eyes. To watch my son love my mother, his Pattycake, so effortlessly...my heart swelled and so much appreciation and love was felt in my heart for my mother. My mom devoted and still devotes all she has to being the mom of four children. We, her kids, are all at such different places in our lives. I am saddened that my brothers will never completely understand what my mom has given of herself to be our mother. She is the most loving, caring, and loyal person that I have in my life. I have taken her for granted over the years, knowing she will just always be there. Never again will I take her and her love for granted. My mom is a tremendous help to me. A shoulder to cry on, an amazing grandmother to my child, and one of the best friends of my life. You've heard the cliche'...people are in your life for a reason, season...my mom is the one person who will be devoted and in my life from beginning to end. I love her more than any words could say or read. I am so proud to be her daughter, and so blessed that the Lord made my mom, my mom. I truly thank you Pattycake and love you with my whole heart.

When life throws you lemons...

okay, you know those moments when God smacks you in the face and you are like, "crap, i asked for that didn't i God." well, i had one of those last night. after my volleyball team completely abandoned me for the final outdoor sand volleyball season, i decided i still wanted to play. i still need to get rid of my baby fat, and i need some liz time too. so, donnie (mom's boyfriend) and i were placed on a random team, whom we met for the first time last night. as we're pulling up to the courts in donnie's mega giant chevy truck with his flowmaster vroom, vroom, i say to donnie, "you know, i don't care who we play with really except for the guy with the green hat...pretty sure he doesn't like me." i ask the volleyball coordinator who we are playing with and she says that we are on her court with...you guessed it "the guy with the green hat." my heart drops, i tell the coordinator...omg...he doesn't like me. she said that he just doesn't know me, once he does, we'll be good. i turn to donnie and tell him i have been slapped in the face by God...it feels great. so, we played with serious green hat guy and won our games. he didn't talk much, but was warming up a tiny bit at the end. at some point i ask him about his tan, are you a fisherman? golfer? you are just so tan..."no, i build houses..." great...come to find out, bernie thinks he might have sold him some lumber...small world, yes, for a reason. who knows what will unfold in the next few weeks, maybe nothing. the thing is...as soon as you say no to something or that's the one thing i'm not going to do...or life throws you lemons...God created lemonade for a reason.

Happy Birthday Samuel Alex Mason!

The next best thing to being a mother is being an Aunt to one of my brother's children. Baby Sam is here and words cannot describe the flutters in my heart when I think of him, hold him, and look at him. He's precious...truly amazing. I'm awed by my sis-in-law's composure and strength during her labor and delivery. She's awesome. I'm so proud of how my brother just jumps in there and takes care of his son, his total pride and joy. I love Sam.

Yukon in the morning...

After traveling to Washington D.C. within the last weeks, I realize how much I appreciate the casual, slow-paced attitude of Yukon, Oklahoma. I went to pay the water bill this morning, and I never had to wait on another vehicle to make a turn. NO TRAFFIC!!! IT'S GREAT!!! On October 12th the Target in Yukon will be opening. It is a mile from my house, and this stay-at-home mom will be frequenting that establishment regularly. I should have stock in that store. Just something pathetic to look forward to in my "mom" life. The moments with my son are so interesting and special, but my imagination could never have completely captured what this "being a mom thing" is really about.

Figuring this thing out...

Golly, you could spend an entire day trying to get all the pics correct and the fonts just right for this thing...this is a work in progress...more to come.