Turn Back Time

In trying to get a bit more organized and decorative around the house, I stumbled upon a box labeled "Pictures". Thinking that it would hold a few pictures worth framing, I opened it hoping to find some snapshots of the boys that I hadn't seen in a while. Instead, I found a few hidden gems from my childhood and recent past. After a little color correction help via Photoshop, I thought it would be fun to share.

Thankful For The Little Things

Now that the weather has cooled down a few degrees here in Texas, I decided to slip on a pair of jeans this morning. I haven't worn them in a while...maybe a couple of months. Anyway, to my surprise, I didn't have to spray cooking oil on my legs to get them on! Hey, this working out stuff must be paying off. Whoo-hoo!!

The scale tells me that I've actually gained two pounds, but I'm telling myself that those 32 ounces must be muscle. Either that or I'm bloated and about to see Auntie Rose. I'll take either as long as my jeans continue to fit a little looser each time I slide my legs into them. Yes, I'm thankful for the little things.



Jason has returned to school and the chaos in the house has settled down a bit. He also started fall-ball and is very excited to be running the bases with his friends once again. And, about a week ago, he lost a second front tooth in his tiny, but loud, little mouth. You would think that having a less than fully-functioning mouth would keep him from talking as much or bossing around his brothers or eating or screaming...yet that hasn't happened. It's a mystery to me.

Anyway, when I was his age and lost my two front teeth, I remember my dad taking me outside for a portrait with his old-school 110 film camera with the rotating flash cube. He hoisted me up onto his beloved Pinto and captured the same toothless grin seen here. Come to think of it, there really aren't many differences between Jason and I at 7 with the exception of Jason's hair. (His is much nicer.) We both wanted to wear boys clothes and play sports all day. However, unlike myself at his age, kids don't come up to Jason and ask him if he's a boy or a girl. Thank the good Lord above that I don't get asked that question anymore. Yes, I'm thankful for the little things.



As for Dallas, he has started karate at our local Little Gym. I'm secretly hoping that he will learn enough moves to humble his cocky older brother. I know that he's not suppose to use his moves outside of where he learns them unless it is an emergency. But I know my child...and I can guarantee that Jason will become his favorite practice punching bag. And I'm ok with that. Dallas gets lost in the mix being the middle child. I want him to have self confidence and a sense of identity seperate from Jason. I think that enrolling him in something like karate will allow him to do just that. Plus, it gives me 1 hour a week of alone time. Yes, I am thankful for the little things.




As for Keegan, he continues to explore the world around him. As you can imagine, he constantly follows his two older brothers and tries to mimick their every move. Considering that their every move usually consists of wrestling, yelling, fighting, farting and calling out my name every 7 seconds, I'm overwhelmed quite often. I'm outnumbered with these boys and the day they truly figure that out, I'm up the creek.

At the end of the day when I lay my head on my pillow and thank God for the blessings that these boys are, I also thank Him that He gave me enough common sense to stop reproducing. Yes, I am thankful for the little things.



On that note, I sign off. I have this urgent need to phone my therapist in regard to the "Are you a boy or a girl?" question that I received so often as a child.