Day 166/365

Shapely

My shapely Monday morning sun-flares for The Sunday Creative August {1-7}!

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what I've learned in my 30's

6. I learned about the "why" chromosome... I was raised by a man, was raising two men and when my eldest son turned 17, OMG! My theory of the "why" chromosome confirmed when my youngest turned 17... boys loose there ever loving MIND @ 17!! side note: I'm not being sexist here I am pretty sure girls loose their minds too, most likely IN their 30's while raising two men! I have reason to believe men are genetically challenged with the "why" gene :) For example "why are you so mad?", "why are you making this such a big deal?", "why are you over reacting?". "why cant i do that?", "why are you yelling?". Case and Point!

Day165/365

The kids came over for Sunday dinner (I cheated and ordered pizza cause this painting project is kicking my arse). Don't you just love little boys in baseball caps?? I love THIS little boy in his baseball cap!!! It was great fun watching all the kids play in a tent... AND Max is not fond of "hoppers" (grass hoppers). He is learning his colors and his vocabulary is building at a rapid rate!

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what I've learned in my 30's

5.  I learned having a sense of humor is essential. (actually i have always known that but when raising teenagers it helps... A LOT). I determined I related to animals wanting to eat their young! I realized if kids don't mutate into teenagers you will want them to live with you forever... I told my boys regularly "I want my little boys back and I will KILL the men that TOOK them!" lol I said and thought all these things with a smile (MOST days). When I blew my 34 candles out I was the momma of two teenage boys (and about 6 sons from other mothers)! My home was filled with a bucket load of testosterone... I am happy to report we ALL made it out alive :)

Day 164/365

I spent my day painting walls. I really wish the project was over already! 

Mother nature can sometimes be rough to catch and put into focus! I waited patiently and then I started waiting IMPATIENTLY... thunder was rolling in and I knew it was coming. I almost peed my pants when it HIT!

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what I've learned in my 30's

4.  I learned going through the motions is just that, going through the motions. My 33rd year of life was spent on auto pilot. I worked, cooked, cleaned, went to the kids football games, helped with homework, attended church and family functions...I did all the things your supposed to do. I didn't have a "safety net", I was uncomfortably numb. I was told it was normal, but it felt far from normal. Going through the motions make you FAT (or at least it made me fat, I gained over 50lbs).  I may have lost a year, but before I blew out 34 candles I had my life back! I experienced loss I will never be over, but I learned going through the motions is just not living. I think maybe we sometimes have to tread water a while before catching the next wave... 

Day 163/365

The city has spent lots of time and money making things look new... I'm glad the process is slow because i love the old buildings that are authentic! There is something to be said about an old structure still standing :)

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what I've learned in my 30's

3.  I learned quality of life is far more important than quantity. I learned letting go is more excruciating than the truculence of hanging on... Where is the life that I recognize? I lost two very important men before 32 candles were lit. I had once thought, knowing the end was near is far better than a shock... I have since changed my mind. As a result of this lesson I ALWAYS tell family I love them when saying good bye, and affection is mandatory (cause ya just never know).

Day 162/365

thistle thursday!

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what I've learned in my 30's

2.  I learned that strength comes in many shapes and sizes. I learned cancer has no preference... I learned that chemotherapy is given in a I.V. bag, its clear like water and it brought Hercules to his knees...

(my dad early 1990's)

Up until this time I knew no one who had battled this disease.... I had no idea what an Oncologist was or what they did. I didn't know what a living will was. I had never stepped foot in the Huntsman Center before... my eyes were open to just how many people were fighting that fight.  I learned all of this before I blew the candles out on my 31st birthday cake because my dad was diagnosed that summer...

(me and my dad September 2000)

I learned strength had nothing to do with how much you could bench press, or squat...

Day 161/365

Mother Nature has been giving us thunder and lightening (the way you love me its frightening, ya better KNOCK>> on wood{sorry the songs just POP into my head!}) for the past few evening. It has been helping us stay cool and for ME to sleep better. I was diggin' the double scoop of rainbow we had!!!

When I woke up I realized I have forty days till I'm forty..... Once my heart palpitations subsided and my breathing was normal I tried to convince myself, its not THAT bad! When that didn't work I texted for reinforcement! (thank goodness i have friends that get me!!) My thirties have been all about loss, change and growth... 

what I've learned in my 30's

1.  life is precious and people you love can be gone in an instant... we lost Pop two weeks after I blew out my 30 candles. this man LITERALLY drove through fire for me. he taught me the importance of slowing down and enjoy the ride.

Day 160/365

Trying to focus...