Mony's Project of 365 Foto's

The Infamous Bus

(or it could just be A bus)

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I read a blog recently about advice you would give to your younger self... Its funny how the universe sets things in your path helping you along in this game called life. P!nk wrote a song that relates to the current subject consuming my thoughts.... its all relative really. If I were to give myself a talk it would be at 20! I would be pregnant with my youngest son, my oldest a toddler.

Twenty things I would say to my twenty year old self!

1. Do NOT waste another minute worrying about EVERYTHING! As much as you would like to believe it does good, life happens and you can worry and plan and plan and worry heck you will worry about planning... stop it! It will give you lines on your forehead and between your brows and things are going to happen ANYWAY! and its okay :) it ALL works out I promise!

2. You are AMAZING, don't sell your self short! You will touch more lives than you can possibly imagine. There will come a time when you will be completely and utterly shocked by this! The doubt you feel right now is only temporary...

3. Listen to your instincts they will NEVER steer you wrong. They will not always make sense to you, but this is a gift you have been given for a reason. Don't wait till your late thirties for this light bulb to come on!

4. Write it all down! And pay special attention to where you keep your notebooks. I would even encourage you to get a safety deposit box... you will regret it otherwise. You have unique and creative ideas and all though some are REALLY out there, most of them are spectacular!

5. Ask for help! Your pride will get in the way of LOTS of things. It doesn't make you weak, it means your smart :) Not to mention people will be really upset with you later on for not giving them the opportunity to "pay you back"!

6. Take your time! You hurry up with EVERYTHING... I know you are going to struggle with this, but getting into the habit of taking your time will help you enjoy the process SO much more.

7. Failed relationships DOES NOT MEAN your like your dad! You are a lot like him, but you are not, nor will you ever be him. As much as you think the world of him, he is flawed (we all are and you know what? ITS OKAY!).

8. Don't procrastinate so much! Your theory of putting things off cause you might get hit by a bus, is not a good mentality to have (besides you live through your thirties for hell sake!) When things come up, do it and be done with it. OH and DON'T put off playing or having fun! That needs to be at the top of the list too!

9. Don't feel guilty for taking time for yourself. Your kids will understand and encourage you to do this later on. You have to recharge your battery (and NO power naps do NOT count!). There is nothing wrong with taking a long hot bath. There is nothing wrong with reading a book that YOU want to read, this does not mean your selfish. All it means is you are taking care of yourself.

10. You are a wonderful mother. You raise amazing people! NEVER doubt how you discipline your children! Discipline means to teach. You will loose a lot of sleep over this one, remember #3!!! Go with your first thoughts on ANY matter, you waste a LOT of time mulling things over and you usually end up going with your first thoughts anyway! Keep all matches and lighters out of Chase's reach, and watch him CLOSE with the screw driver (any other tools for that matter)! Look under Caz's bed often, at one point he tries to hatch eggs out of the refrigerator. Check their pockets more often, and I would even encourage you to buy a box of rubber gloves and keep it by the washing machine! DO NOT REPLACE BROKEN TOYS! This is where we could really save LOTS of money! They just think that was their most favorite toy, and truly they will like something else soon enough, PROMISE. Take Caz driving more in the winter time, it will save on car insurance in the long run... When Chase blows out his 17 candles, hug him a little tighter for a little longer because you will want to kill him (MANY TIMES) over the next 12 months. Caz will loose his mind too at 17 for about 7 days and DO NOT LET HIM GO TO THE HOSPITAL! It is a waste of time and money and he is JUST FINE! Do everything else as you see fit, cause you really do a pretty amazing job :)

11. Make a conscious effort to close your eyes and jump regularly. Your fearless approach needs to be nurtured and feed. You will miss it when it fades... and fight like hell to find it again.

12. Don't worry about if it makes you look fat, if you like it and nothing is hanging out WEAR IT!!! Be comfortable in your own skin!! Here is the thing, you have ALWAYS thought you were fat, I'm not going to even bother wasting my breath to tell you otherwise. Know this, you don't know what that is until you see 33 and then your eyes are OPEN!

13. I want to encourage you to keep giving people the benefit of the doubt. Be smart about it and again remember #3, but what ever you do keep believing in the good in people.

14. Ask for a GOOD camera for your birthday or christmas.

15. Don't hold your feelings back, if your mad, be mad! If your happy, be happy. People in your life that don't get that will not be around long enough for it to matter, but how you feel matters... A LOT!

16. Don't get married before telling your parents! It hurts their feelings. I know right now you don't believe in the whole thing but you do end up changing your mind.

17. There is a box in the closet that has all the awards you have won since elementary school. It has your childhood journals and stories you have written. DON'T throw it away!! Big mistake!!! Make room for it.

18. Keep all your drawings and your box of special things at daddy's. Better yet, give them to Grandma for safe keeping. And MAKE time to draw, you love it and your good at it!

19. Don't sell your firebird or your acoustic guitar!

20. Don't beat yourself up so much. Life is not black and white, its all shades of grey. No matter how hard you try, perfection is NOT obtainable. I know you and some of this I'm telling you, your not buying even a little. You are probably stuck on #12... lol You know what, it doesn't even matter cause we make it out wiser than lots of people gave us credit for :)

Little Max and I went on a County Fair Adventure... We made friends with some chickens, some pigs, a few calves, a pony and watched a dog named Flash do some awesome tricks with Frisbees! We shared a tasty corn dog and some "fry fries" (thanks Rae!!!) He can make the sounds of a roaster, and a pig... We laughed at all the MOOOOing going on between the cows and we met a friendly goat who nibbled on Max's hair (its a good thing his momma cut his curls cause that could have been bad) lol! Max currently has broken ears... he doesn't seem to hear his Mema when she tells him "no" or "stop"... I am pretty sure its a two year old thing lol ;)

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what I've learned in my 30's

9. I learned there is a painful process a parent goes through between being a momma to children and being a momma to adults... I appreciate Chase, Syd and Caz's patience :)