3 Something AM

Last night was long and tiring.  Before you get ahead of yourself, it was not because of the election.  My oldest son woke up around 3somethingAM feeling sick.  Feeling turned into being.  If you are a parent, you realize what that means.  Sleep was broken as I took care of my not-a-baby-anymore boy.

As he was drifting off at one point, I held him close and stopped to appreciate the moment.  O is no longer a baby, not a toddler, and growing quickly towards being a pre-teen, but he still needs me.  When your children get to be a certain age, the cuddles come less often.  It's hard not to miss it.  Even so, there isn't a second that I'd wish for my kids to be sick.  Yet comforting him made me smile and gave me comfort as well

I adore my sons and am happy to see them growing into such wonderful young men.  My prayers continue for their present and future, as well as gratitude for the blessings that they have been from the day I realized that I carried them.  Being a mom is worth all of the sleepless nights.

Beware of Mama Bear

When most people describe me, I often hear kind comments.  I've been called a sweetheart, cute, kind, loyal, friendly, and the list goes on.  No, this does not go to my head and I'm not here to toot my own horn.  Rather, I'd like to showcase a different side of me.  Today I present to you, the rarely seen "mama bear."

While I dearly love the fabulous Berenstain Bear family books and tv series, I'm not referring to the lovely and wise matriarch of the family.  I'd like to think I'm both of those things, but that's not what I'm talking about today.  The instinctively protective nature of most mothers can bring out the bear in even the mildest mannered mommy, myself included.

Since I became pregnant with my oldest child, I've been presented with various situations that have brought out the grizzly in me.  If my children are threatened in any way, I can become a ferocious defender.  Yes, every inch of my under 5' frame has the ability to fill with adrenaline as I stand up for my offspring.  I'm not rippling like the Incredible Hulk, but I believe that the love for my boys would make me a strong adversary.

Truth be told, being a mama bear is not about physical strength.  It's about love, heart, determination, and protecting those you love.  The situations that provoke this portion of our personality come in all forms and do not usually result in a physical altercation.  I should clarify here.  Honestly, I've never been in a fight.  In my younger years I stood between people to stop them, but that's as far as it goes for me.  My kids need me to keep them safe in whatever way that applies.  At this stage in their young lives, it is my responsibility (and my husband's) to keep them away from people and out of situations that I feel would be unhealthy for them.  If I didn't do that, what kind of mama bear would I be?

Are you a mama or papa bear?  Do you feel it is your responsibility to protect your child?  Does that mama/papa bear feeling ever go away?  How far would you go to protect your child?

Beware of Mama Bear!

Tell Me A Story: The Sequel

When introduced to my antique Santa decoration, many reacted with the word "creepy."  In fact, my husband swears that the red-eyed St. Nick is evil.  Although he isn't a fan of the Claus sitting on a little tin chimney, I still try to put him out every year.

I could use this to my advantage and terrify my children into being good, but I don't.  My feelings towards this bell ringing Kris Kringle are not of the scary variety.  I honestly have fond thoughts when seeing him sitting out at Christmas time.

You see, this dingy faded Santa Claus is a part of my past.  When I was a young girl, an identical one could be found in my childhood home at Christmas time.  My mother received it from one of her grandmothers and cherished it.  If only for the fact that I adored my Mom and my great-grandmother, I also loved the antique Father Christmas. 

A number of years ago, my Mom purchased a matching Santa from a dear old friend of her's.  Knowing how much I admired the antique Claus, she bestowed me with it as a gift.  It is not the original St. Nick from my childhood, that one remains with my Mom, but it is still a significant object in my home.  Every year when I pull it out of our Christmas storage, I think fondly of my great-grandmother and remember how just how thoughtful my Mom was the year she delivered a Santa Claus just for me.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Does my story change how you feel about this antique Santa?  Does the true story make him less frightful?  Are their any childhood decorations that were passed on to you?  Any decorations from your childhood that you miss?  Please, tell my one special thing about any of your childhood Christmases.

A Double Blog Day

With only 1 week left before school starts (I'm squeezing in lots of fun time with my kids), Maine family visiting soon (YAY!), and an upcoming holiday weekend (an extra day with my hubby), I'll be taking a blogging vacation! I will be back to posting on Wednesday, September 9, 2009!  Today however, I have rolled 2 blogs into 1.  Enjoy!!!

P.S.  I have discovered a new fairy that I wanted to share in honor of the upcoming school year...

First Day Of School Fairy

&

a little Calvin & Hobbes on Summer vacation

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Part 1

I have a very special treat for everyone today...  A blog guest star!  He begged for this opportunity and is very excited to share his brilliant post for you today.  Introducing, my son, O!

Star Wars 7:  Sciwalkrs Hope

Acros the younvrs, Jeadi won the battle.  And the won agein.  And then the ships arivde.

The End

I hope you enjoyed this guest post and I apologize that the drawings to accompany this story are not scanned into our computer at this time.  However, some original photos by the author have been added for your viewing pleasure.  Obviously, my son is hopeful that George Lucas will create more movies for the Star Wars saga.  May the force be with you!

Got a comment for my guest blogger & Star Wars fan?  I'll be sure to share these comments with him as he's quite excited to be a blogger!

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Part 2

I am so proud of my boys!  I love them with every piece of my heart.  When the day comes that I am not here to tell them, God willing that will be a very very very long time from now, they will without a doubt know it to be true. 

One of the best parts of being a Mom is the gifts that our children give us.  No, not the flowers or homemade cards, although those are very dear to my heart, but the endless gifts that are not purchased in any store.  We get to explore the world all over again through their innocent eyes, dream and hope amazing things without "rules", and feel an unbelievable sense of admiration directed at us for no other reason than we are Mom.  Holding the title of Mom, Mommy, Mum, or Mama brings blessings that you never knew existed until you are bestowed with the honor.

As a Mom myself, I hold a deeper appreciation for the woman who raised me.  I admire her for all that she has done for me and my 3 siblings, as well as all that she has survived.  My Mother is a strong woman.  She often gives more than she receives, and has as strong sense of compassion for others.  I'm very grateful to have her in my life.  She's not just an outstanding Mom & Grandma, but an unbelievable person.

I want to take this moment to honor her and say...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

We love you!

September 6, 2009

If you have kids, what "gifts" do they give to you?  Did becoming a mom make you have more admiration for your own mother?  What is your favorite part of being Mom? 

Meet Me On Monday: The O & M of CMOM

Meet Me On Monday

This Monday, and random Mondays here after, my blog will reveal something about me. All Meet Me On Monday blogs will be clearly labeled.

Warning:

The rantings of an exhausted mother of 2 young boys to follow... proceed with caution at your own risk!

You are about to embrace the Mom side of me. Being a Mom is a major portion of my life. Often, I put my children ahead of myself, as most mothers do. Some days I am Super Mom and I fly through the day with ease, always coming to the rescue when a toy is missing or a boo-boo needs bandaging. Then there are the days where I feel as though I can't find one moment of peace and quiet, my kids are fighting without a chance of resolution, and my mind is stuck in the washing machine. Those days, I feel as though I could run out the door screaming! Don't we all have those days and those moments? Please tell me I am NOT the only one here!

My children have run me ragged today, and we are barely into the afternoon. Don't get me wrong, I love them dearly and would do just about anything for my boys. However, they have pushed me to my limits today. Actually, let me clarify, my youngest son is the one who has left me feeling drained.

Today, my youngest son, I'll call him M, has pushed every button that I have! The details would only aggravate me more at this point. He is my "Fudgie" (go read Judy Blume's Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing -- Fudge book series). M has found ways to torment his mother, that his older brother never attempted. In fact, I don't think my oldest son, let's refer to him as O, ever imagined even trying to test me in the ways that M does. Aah yes, they are like day and night.

M is stubborn, shy, and his emotions are never invisible. If he's grumpy, you know it. If he's happy, he'll make you smile. When he's mad, look out! Giggles, silliness, and laughter are contagious with M. You always know where you stand, even if you don't understand why. M is a morning person and detail oriented. When M wants something, or decides something, it's not easy to sidetrack him. If he has a goal in mind, he's got his eye on the prize. He loves books, but prefers playing with cars and has a soft spot for Herbie the love bug. He is quiet and independent. M can be the most adorable and sweetest kid on the planet, when he wants to be.

O is outgoing, kind, and shows his emotions easily. He is extremely expressive and open with others. Often times you will hear him talking "older" than he is. O is the kid who is always willing to give a hug, kiss, or just cuddle with you. He LOVES to read and write. I see his future in the Arts (acting, music, or writing mostly). O is rarely quiet and is a very social child. He can be goofy or completely serious. Music is another love of my eldest son, always singing when he isn't talking. He is slightly obsessed with super heroes and Transformers, Bumblebee is #1 in his book. O will never be a fighter, except when necessary, but always a kind hearted soul.

These are my kids. They inspire me, exhaust me, enlighten me, scare me, make me laugh, make me cry, frustrate me, help me, encourage me, tease me, tolerate me, make me happy, and bring out the best, and worst, in me. Most of all, they love me and I love them too... with all of my heart and soul! I protect them like the biggest scariest Mama Lioness in the world, even though I'm probably one of the tiniest. These 2 "little men" of mine are the reason I want to be a better Mom and a better person. Without them, my life wouldn't be the same and wouldn't hold as much meaning, hope, or love. Knowing them is like knowing a part of me, because O & M are a huge part of my heart.

CMOM Productions

C - is for the man who loves me so

M - oh that's me, didn't you know?

O - is my first born son, he helped me grow

M - is my second born son, who completed my soul.

Productions- it's all about the life we live, people we love, and places we go.