Family - It's a Vivas Thing!

Nov 27 2010

Another Year Older

Today was my oldest son's 23rd birthday. I cannot believe I have an adult son. Twenty-three…wow!

And I wonder…when did we go from this…

(This is my absolute favorite picture of him!)

To this full grown, about to graduate from college, young man?

(Notice the crazy sister in the background!)

I look at him, and I walk through memory lane.

I remember when he first looked at me.

I remember the heart failure when his face hit gravel as we tried to get him across the monkey bars…and how angry he was at me for not keeping him from falling.

I remember his first step.

His first day of kindergarten…and his last day of kindergarten.

I remember every birthday.

And "All Dogs Go to Heaven"

and the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

I remember giving him a brother…and him automatically expecting his sister.

I remember how he loved each of the moments when his four younger siblings joined our family.

I remember his mission trips and playing the guitar.

And I remember our special moments together…and A&W rootbeer in Boulder City.

I remember the first time he rode his bicycle and the first time he drove in his new jeep.

I remember how proud I felt when he graduated from high school….and how proud I feel that he is so close to graduating college.

My boy has grown into a man.

And made his mama, proud.

Happy Birthday, son!

Nov 24 2010

My Boy Turns 13!

Thirteen years ago, we welcomed him into our family.

And watched him grow and change.

And enjoy life

And the things life has to offer

(Ok, I just had to add this one…because I like it so much!)

My Karate Boy!

Who sometimes breaks things!

(And puts up with scary relatives!)

A helicopter ride with his oldest brother for his birthday!

And rollercoasters to continue!

My boy is growing up. Not so much a boy anymore, but more a young man. He isn't afraid to take care of his mother and always seems to know how I feel. I love his sense of adventure and his great attention to detail. I love how he carries on a conversation with his father; both of them engrossed in whatever technical thing has captured their attention. I love to watch him help his younger sister with whatever it is she is working on and the way he always knows how to fix things….and where to find the batteries!

I love watching him look up to his older brothers and sister.

I sure love having him in our family.

Happy Birthday, Son!

Nov 07 2010

An Extra Hour

Today, we gained an extra hour. I had visions of sleeping in with a quiet house.

It didn't happen.

Because, I am a morning person. And no matter how hard I try, I will always be a morning person.

Which means my body wakes up when it is early.

No matter what.

It seems Bboo may be inheriting that trait a little. I say a little, because she can sleep in if she's really tired.

So, we decided to get up and make breakfast. The girl had bacon on her mind and just had to have it! We went to work in the kitchen cooking bacon and grits and remarking how the Smart One could sleep through a tornado!

And we put on music. Lots of it!

It started off with Cyndi Laupers's, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" (Dad said said, "Girls Just Want to Have Bacon") and it kept going from there.

Music from my childhood…teen years…etc.

And finally, the Smart One woke up.

And joined in.

And we sang.

And danced.

And laughed.

And ate bacon.

I'm sure in the spring, we won't be so happy with the time change.

But this morning, I gained an extra hour with my children.

What did you do with yours?

Oct 27 2010

Bad Mom Award

Today was one of those days. It's one of those days where I am realizing how much adjusting I have to do as a full-time working mom.

The Drama Queen has very busy Wednesdays, so I try to remember to have her have everything ready on Tuesday night before she goes to bed. Early. Well, at least I try to get her to bed early.

It doesn't always happen.

So on Wednesdays, we rush out the door with everything she'll need for the rest of the day.

After work, we go straight to dance.

Dance bag; check.

Get to dance.

Dance pants in dance bag; check? Nope. Ok, so I remind her why it's important to make sure she's ready the night before and now she'll have to wear jeans to dance. I don't have time to get her home and back. She's not thrilled, but she realizes it's also lack of preparation on her part. And we walk inside.

To a room full of girls all dressed up.

Because today was dress up day. They're in cute costumes of bumble bees, angels, and princesses.

And she's in jeans.

And she doesn't even complain.

We forgot. I feel terrible. And she's a trooper.

After dance, she realizes she's forgotten her AWANA book. Too late, Dad can't go back and get it.

See, after dance, she goes straight to AWANA at church. It works because she has some special daddy time that they enjoy each week.

Again, she realizes she needs to prepare better and have her book in her bag.

Here's where we switch gears for a moment. I'm headed home with the Smart One (Dad picks up the Drama Queen from me at dance and gives me the Smart One to take home after he's just finished bowling.) Anywho, it's Bboo calling. Who's taking her to the game tonight, because she has to dance at half-time?

Yeah, I forgot. She doesn't usually do this on Wednesdays. I let her know I'm on my way home and hear her lose it. Because now the dog is sick and went on my carpet and what is she to do?

I get home, clean it up as best as I can, call dad to get the carpet shampooer from his sister, realize we're not having dinner anytime soon and get her to the game and the Smart One to karate. (Now you can understand why Wednesdays are so hard!)

Hubby helps get dinner going; we both end up missing Bboo dancing at the game; I get the carpet shampooed while hubby deals with yet another issue…and finally, we ask a friend to bring home the Drama Queen. She does.

And the Drama Queen walks in to let me know the her car one two races tonight and came in 3rd in another race. And nobody voted for her car in the design category and that made her sad. And she was a little sad that Daddy and I didn't make it to watch her race, but that's ok, because she knows we love her.

*Sigh*

We missed the AWANA Grand Prix races tonight.

Yeah, I forgot about that one, too.

I'm pretty sure I could win the Bad Mom Award tonight.

Or maybe not. Because despite it all, I have great children who tell me they understand and love me and don't hold it against me that I messed up.

And that brings me joy.

Oct 23 2010

Unexpected Moments

More and more lately, I try to grasp those unexpected fun moments. It's still doesn't happen near as much as I'd like, but this week gave me, not one, but TWO opportunities!

The first was Thursday evening. Punky called with two extra tickets to the PBR Rodeo. The Good Looking One happened to be having dinner with us, and knowing how much he'd love it, I asked him to come along. Thursday he picked me up and away we went. And I had so much fun! It was great watching the bull rides; hollering at them to hold on and grimacing when one fell off! After the bull riding, Riding High Ministries put on a show for us. It was awesome to watch.

Then, last night we had to run to the mall to pick up a couple of things. The Drama Queen had some birthday money and wanted to go to Build-a-Bear, so Bboo and I took her along with us. On the way in, we discovered a carnival. Of course, the Drama Queen was begging to go, so I told her if we were finished in enough time, I'd take her on the Ferris Wheel. We had fun picking out the newest frog (not bear), a few cami's for Bboo and then called hubby.

…Who happened to be on his way to drop of the Talented One at the Twin's house. And he had the Smart One with him. So, I thought it'd be terribly romantic to have him join us and the two of US could go on the Ferris Wheel together!

With beautiful weather and a beautiful night, we had fun watching the Smart One and Bboo go on the Fire Ball. Then we headed to the Ferris Wheel.