Growing up together

Along time ago I became a mom... like 16 years ago long time ago...
I think anyone that has become a mom would tell you when the hospital staff hands the baby in your arms there's that moment when you look into the baby's eyes and think to yourself  "I have NO clue what I am doing... this is NUTS!  We've got some serious growing up to do!"

We'll I'd like to think WE have! As a matter of fact I know WE have! The Mom I was the day I took him home (the Lord did help him) is certainly the same Mom but a Mom that has learned and grown-up.

Sure I still like my music... and I like it loud! Sure I still like to have fun... I know my friends Jim, Bud (light), and Jose but with limits now! And Sure I like staying up late... as long as I can sleep in (and not just because I have to write a paper for school!)!

Yep... I've grown-up, but along the way I dragged a little boy with me, sometimes kicking and screaming with alot of  "why's and it's not fair". I guess I've got this parenting thing down right.

Last night, I watched my son hold a sad bearded dragon that is just beaten down (soul wise) and seemingly lonely. He just held Spike and reassured him that he was loved. Now that's grown-up.

This morning I peeked in on Mr. Spike and he had his little "swagger" back sitting in his tank with the look of "I'm loved" puffed out on his chest... yep... he is!

I as a parent- I taught that. My son learned it... and he carried it on...We've grown-up... together!

We've Grown... some taller than others!

 

 TLC goes along way

 

King of the Tank

Helpless

There are times in your life that you are superman or superwoman. You leap tall buildings and solve all the worlds problems. Nothing stands in your way. You are on top!
Then there are those moments in your life that for everything you do, everything you are, you can do nothing to fix things. In some cases, its just the way life is. A child in a hospital can bring a man to his knees and make him cry. He'd give anything to fix his child and is totally helpless, all he can do is hold her (or him) and reassure the little one he isn't going anywhere... Mom's have gone mad watching their children do the craziest things as they let them "fly"... helpless as they have to watch from a sideline, a kitchen window, or anywhere as their youngster takes that step growing up... helpless knowing they can only do so much!
As we get older, other events happen reminding us quickly, we may have learned "everything", but we don't have all the answers and quickly those helpless feelings creep back in. Loved ones become ill, and while emotional support seems great, it doesn't ever feel like enough. You still feel helpless. You can do a million things... but at the end of the day there will always be certain things you just can't fix... leaving you feeling helpless!

I love you Grandma!

Thanks for teaching us to always have fun!

Spare Time?

I laugh every time I look at the log in for my account... Aubrissparetime.... when do or did I ever think I would have that? I guess it was an internal joke with myself that only my fingers got as I typed it out... The best joke was- of course it was "available"... no one else has my name... and NO ONE else has "spare time"...
In the last month I read not one but two books... I'm going to start on my third, and they are NOT school books! And... it really hasn't been spare time. But I have found something in reading those books, it hasn't been so much about reading them as much as it has been about the time.
I am amazed by all the things we cram into a day- we are masters of the universe and at a click of the mouse can "tour" the world and back again. But time... we are always wanting more. It's never enough.

Today I received a "thank you card"
It read...
Thanks,
What a great thing to do!
What a generous touch!
You made my whole day,
and I thank you so much!

Hand written- Special thanks for going above and beyond. You keep things going for me. Regards,

To say I needed that would be an understatement. The funny thing is- I simply was doing what I do... but in my "spare time" I guess I do try to push the envelop just a little farther and try just a little more to be a little better.  That's my Life... life in blogging... life in my spare time!

Tiny tiny world

I love to read other blogs! I also love to promote other blogs! Not because I think it will boost my status in the blog world, but because sometimes there are messages out there I real feel passionate about and I want to make sure their story is heard.
Blogging is one of those mediums that is super easy... say what you feel, post a photo or two and BOOM the world can see it. People can share it, and just like that its worldwide... REALLY!
Nothing was/is more clear than a family I have been following because of someone that brought their plight to my attention (another blogger). I didn't know them personally, but their story touched my heart. I shared their blog and once again we learn how small the world is... someone I know well, knows them and knows their story- well!
I think sometimes we forget the power of the "forward". That "connection" to the world. Sure its easy to forward/share a joke- who doesn't love a good joke- I do! And who doesn't like having something funny to smile at, but its the "hard" stuff that we often think twice about. The stuff we linger over the "share/forward" button and then think twice...
I'm glad without hesitation I took a story from my blogger world and shared it in my Facebook world. Not because I wanted a pat on the back- oh heavens no! But because for a minute it brought a family in Japan and a family in Florida real close! I am always amazed when I post anything and people tell me they know the person (how did I find them)... it's a TINY world and it just got a little tinnier.

Thank you for reading my blog! Don't "share" MY blog because of THIS... share someone's blog that touches you, that is struggling, or that you know just needs that love. You never know the connection your "sharing" will actually create!

Holy Hurricane Batman!

So here we are... a "big" event in the Tampa Bay area... pick one... the Republican National convention- or the pending DOOM of anyone that lives in a flood zone!
For those of us that are totally use to the "sky falling" the alarms being sound are rather commical at best. The cone of uncertianity is just another reminder that FEDERAL funds that get cut for "important projects" maybe should be held on to just in case... I think the victims of Andrew, Katrina, and a scad of other storms would agree. But enough politics... I have to say I LOVE hurricane watch. I know that is probably horrible but it totally cracks me up how normally sane (I guess that can be debated) people can lose their minds when a storm might come. We forget everything we have ever been taught and simply run to the store and buy beer. Now I'm with the next person, when the storm hits and we lose "everything" I think I want to drink my woes away too... but you can only keep the beer cold for so long people!!! Move to harder stuff- I mean let's get real- they pass out ice (I guess so we can save our food or something)- but shoot... start mixing it with tequila and get rid of all juice before it goes bad!!! Now that could cause you to go mad... food waste!

Live it up... take some time to sit back and relax... a storms coming... this one's going to be FUN!