Thats Jaxson..not Jackson.

After the passing of Michael Jackson this week every other word I have heard on tv has been his name, his music, his trials and tribulations. Just as I type this I have heard his name twice, and bits of 2 different songs. Its become exhausting. And whats become really tiresome is the sound of my own sons name. Just as I call his name to stop tearing into the dvd collection, I hear the name of the man the world is grieving this week. I know now that his name is going to sky rocket this year, just as Ethan did the following year he was born. And it was only because there was a sexy soap star that shared the same calling. If the soap star name grew so much in popularity..can you imagine the death of a pop icon? Maybe its not too late to change it his name. Or maybe..it will fade into the sunset. Lets hope so!!!

The Undomestic Goddess

My grandmother was, for the most part, your everyday housewife. She cleaned, washed and ironed clothes, took care of her 2 children, feed whatever animal happened to be occupying residency at her house, and had dinner ready on the table by the time Grandpa got home from work. She did all these things while also working a full time job. Yes, my grandmother was the epatimy of your typical mother for her times and even for women today. As for my mother, not so much.



It wasn't a secret to anybody that my mother couldn't cook or clean that well. I'm not sure if she really didn't know how, or if she just didn't want to. I mean, she was taught by her mother after all. I never lived in a dirty house though, or went without eating. My mother did know how to make Salmon Patties and Meatloaf, to this day I wont eat either. My dad once made me a grilled cheese that was burnt to a crisp on both sides. So you can see, I was doomed from the beginning. My grandmother once asked me for some help in the kitchen... "Kitchen, whats that?" She could tell by the look in my eyes that it was going to take more time explaining it to me then it would anything else. Later that day she told me that when I turned 18 she would explain to me the ins and outs of keeping a house together, and teach me how to cook just like her. Well guess what? God had other plans for Grandma. She died a few months before my 18th birthday.



A red flag should have went off in my head that it was time I learn something, and fast, after getting my first job. I was 15 and I was going to be waiting tables at the Ole' Dinner Bell. After my first night in training *Martha handed me a broom. I looked at for a moment, looked at Martha, then back at the broom again, and I asked her what I was supposed to do with it. I think poor Martha almost had a heart attack. She seemed very concernes that in my 15 years nobody had showed me how to sweep a floor. I didn't mind it though. I loved the fact that I never had to clean anything, or make myself my own dinner. If it wasn't salmon patties, mom and I were eating out. What 15 year old doesn't love that? Yes, well fast forward ten years and it hasn't been so great!



Not so long ago I was having a conversation with a lady about her 18 year old step son. She had been very annoyed with his behavior lately and his lack of helping around the house. She looked at me and told me that he didn't even know how to make pancakes, then said "What 18 year old doesn't know how to make pancakes?" Well, I didn't raise my hand and say "This 25 year old doesn't know how to make pancakes!" I kept quite. It was embarrassing. And its not just pancakes, its EVERYTHING! And Ive gone way beyond the "I'm blond, isn't it funny, just like Jessica Simpson, ha ha ha" kind of days. Its time to get serious and figure out for myself how to do this.

So, the other day I attempted pancakes for the first time in my life. Ethan said they were the best pancakes he has ever eaten! Maybe this wont be so bad after all....

The things they say

Ethan was sitting at the kitchen table the other day having his lunch when I came in the door after retrieving the mail. While sorting through the letters I opened up one that was an invitation to a baby shower. As I began to read the content inside I really didn't realize I was reading it allowed.

Me: "The couple is registered at Target and...okay, okay. Oh, well this is nice. Hey Aaron..it says please bring a package of diapers for your chance to be entered into a drawing for a 50 dollar gift certificate."

Ethan: *Eyes as big as silver dollars*
"50 dollars! Wow, that's a lot of money! If you get that will you share it with me?"

Ethan is a very good kid, and made awesome grades this year so it really didn't take me but a minute to agree that I would share it with him...if we were chosen.

Ethan: *Smiles huge with that toothless smile of his*
"Great Mom! I sure hope you can draw good!!!"

You just gotta love the way kids comprehend things...

Oh Baby!

Before I say what I have to say please note that I love my children..and wouldn't give them up for all the money in the world...

I'm sure we have all heard this saying at one point in our lives either from yourself or somebody else 'Ohhh..I want a baby!'. I'm wondering though if some people realize that wanting a baby is not like wanting a new pair of Jimmy Choos or the Calvin Klein dress marked down at Saks. 'Oh, I just have to have those.' You see, wanting a baby comes with so much more. Yes, they are so cute and cuddly at the beginning. They smile at you with their beautiful gummy mouths, fall asleep on your chest to the sound of your heartbeat, and they could cuddle with you all day and night. But what happens when that baby becomes a toddler, a child, and then a TEENAGER!! You wonder what in the world happened to that sweet baby of yours.

Having a 7 year old and a baby, its easy for me to look at the differences. I used to sing to Ethan everyday as a baby. He would smile at me and fall asleep in my arms listening to his lullabies. I do the same for Jaxson, which he loves also. It always calms him down after a cranky fit. Though Ethan walks through the house yelling 'Please Mom, enough is enough! That is so annoying.' What?? What do you mean annoying?? These were the same tunes that once rocked you to sleep.

I don't think that there is one day that passes where I don't get a dirty look or I'm being informed that I just don't know what I'm talking about. And he is only 7! What do I have to look forward to when he is 12..or 15 for that matter!

I think for the most part people believe what they are getting themselves into but there are still the small few that dont. I mean, just turn on the news any day of the week and you will see what Im talking about. I would suggest that if you are wanting something to cuddle with at times, a small lapdog would be perfect for you. Something to show of to your friends perhaps? Then maybe try a new Coach purse. Babies are wonderful! But they also come with so much more than rosey red cheeks. They come with a lifetime of needs and wants. And it doesn't end when they are 18, it continues. Trust me..Im a 24 year old still needing things from my parents.

In closing though I would like to say that for all new mothers or soon to be mothers..the best is yet to come!!!

The Irony Of It All

When you are little and dream of having kids, you also dream of names. You have your perfect little first and middle names picked out while playing dress up and imagining the life you want. Then some idiot with the same perfect name you picked comes along and ruins it. Lets face it..if you have a name like Emma, and you met an Emma that you just cant stand, chances are you wont name your child that. Then you met your husband, and he has issues with names, and it ends up being this big drawn out process of agreeing on just one. Aaron and I liked Jayden. Then we met this little brat named Jayla and that got thrown out the window! There are some things you just don't want to be reminded of on a day to day basis.

I always loved the name Alexandria, and if you know me then you know that after meeting my high school sweetheart that name was just out of the question. No man that I was ever with would agree to that, and I wouldn't want to hear that name everyday anyways.

Ethan has adopted an outside animal..so of course its up to Ethan to decide what he wants to name it. We all agreed it was Ethan's choice! I'm wishing now that it had been a family decision..for I now have to hear the name Alex everyday..all day! Yes, my son decided to name his new friend Alex! Don't you just love kids??

Blah Blah Blah

I think some stories are meant to be told. Sometimes there is a love that people only dream about, or live in fairytales. We have expierences that need to be shared with the world. Sometimes, no matter what it is, we just want somebody else to listen. I have my share of stories. Ive had times of great love, heartbreaking loses, memorable moments of pure joy, and every other emotion in between. I have debated on sharing some of these things but I feel it will only make me stronger. My book that I have started is a little bit of non-fiction. I dont feel that I can write my first book without having some of me in it. Its something Ive wanted to tell...and Im ready.

Finding the time

I love to write!! I have loved it since I was a little girl. Why is it though that I can never find the time anymore? And when I do have the time nothing comes to me. I find this to be very frustrating!!! When I finally get ideas...my head restores itself to mommy mode and all I think about are my kids. I guess that's not a bad thing, but it is if your trying to make a career out of being a writer...and lets face it, not everyone wants to hear about your kids all the time. Well guess what?? I must share what my kids did this week.....

I love Mothers Day!! Ill admit it, I like to get pampered. I love it more that Ethan gets excited to give me things that he picked out. This year at school they made cakes and decorated them for the moms. The cake came from Publix which I love!! Ethan got off the bus last week skipping down the driveway, my cake in his hand, just so excited to give it to me.

Ethan: "Here you go mom! I made you a cake, can I have a piece?"
Me: "Oh Ethan, thank you so much! Its so pretty...did you decorate...um..Ethan?? Did you eat the frosting while you were making the cake?"
Ethan: "I couldn't help myself! It was really good. Happy Mothers Day!"


So I may have had a cake minus some frosting...but its the thought that counts! He did however go with Aaron to pick out a present for me this year, and on Mothers Day morning I was given a beautiful diamond heart necklace by a very proud 7 year old. He was so happy to give it to me...and luckily the diamonds were all there!!