My Baby Girl's Growing Up

Well, my daugher has been 5 for two weeks now! I should've wrote about it sooner, but I just haven't wanted to face it yet. Nor do I know exactly what I want to say. On one hand I can't believe she's already 5 and on the other, I can't believe she is ONLY 5. She's such a big girl. She's more like 5 going on 15! Well, at least 7 or 8.
Her party was great... or at least I think so. We had a bowling party complete with her special order birthday cake. She requested a cake with flowers and a purple bowling ball on top. I managed it, but just barely. She had such a good time bowling with Rhonda's kids and Surprise! They all managed to take turns and there weren't any melt downs... well at least they all waited until they reached their cars. And bless their little hearts for that. Much appreciated.
She loves cards. And she had lots of fun opening her cards, especially the musical ones. Aubrey is such a blessing in my life, I only hope we can continue to be friends as she grows. This past year I've been trying to adjust to the fact that she will be starting school. She is so excited about starting school, that when we got home from the party, she put out an outfit for school on Monday! Poor thing, she's stuck at home until August. I've decided to dedicate this time to helping her be excited and prepare her as best I can. Of course, I'd rather be crying about her growing up too fast. I think I'll save the tears for her first day of school.
And then spend the next year preparing for her little brother to start school. All my babies are growing up. Guess it's time for me to grow up too!

PS. Rhonda I keep forgetting to tell you that my dad saw your parents the day after Aubrey's party and raved about how polite and well-behaved your kids are!

Best Day EVER!!

Today was a good day. No a great day. My kids got along most of the day. Early morning fussing and late afternoon whining, but hey they played outside for hours with no fighting! We arrived at church on time and dropped the kids off and we went out to eat. (I know we're so bad) We had a nice enjoyable dinner and made it back to church with two minutes to spare. It's always interesting picking them up on Wednesday nights because their teacher thinks they are just little angels and tells me so every week. I always call my dad and let him know what perfect little angels he has for grandkids. He thinks my son is more than just a handful!
This week was no different. Immediately, "I love your kids!" Only different this week too. There was a new teacher and she followed her statement with a question "Are you the big sister or the babysitter?" I love her!!!! I just laughed and told her she is my new favorite person because my birthday is next month and I'm feeling my age these days. I tell her my husband was just commenting on how "Old" I'm getting to be. She tells me how old she thinks I look and she must have been being super generous because it was half my actual age. HA! And I know she's only a few years older than me! Anyway, how great is that?? The other teacher who has a daughter the same age as my son tells me she is considering having another child because mine play so well together!! Double HA!!! I did tell her that they really aren't that good ALL the time... especially at home. What a great day!! Must be the new mascara I'm wearing these days. Thanks Rhonda!

Dookie Lovin'

A little over a year ago I had to put my cat to sleep. That phrase has always bothered me and typing it was even more awkward. Dookie was my first pet outside of my parent's home and I had him longer than I've had my husband. His actual name was Tab, but he preferred Dookie. That was definitely the worst day in my life and considering I've lost some loved ones recently that might seem callous, but he didn't just die, I had to make the final decision. Anyway, I have two other cats, and I love them both too, but they just aren't the same as Dookie. I always told my husband he better be glad I couldn't kiss a cat to make my prince, because Dookie was the perfect man for me:) Little Miss Naughty, one of my other cats, is a precious little thing and her role is to be the baby and her sister BoBo, well that one tolerates human contact, but since the death of Dookie has stepped up and "allowed" us to love on her too. Last Summer we (I) added another cat to our brood to bring the total back in balance. Hey, I like the odd numbers. Cookie Dough is an extra special cat, not only do I have another He, but he comes from my Granma's farm. Cookie is now what I would call a tween, he's not a toddler but not quite an adolescent yet. He has grown into such a beautiful cat and I can already tell he will be bigger than his sisters.
Just recently I realized how much I had missed my Dookie and his special Dookie Lovin. I can't explain the difference really, but there is a distinct difference in the relationship he and I shared and the ones I have with Naughty and BoBo. I always said he was my boyfriend kittie. Nothing sexual or weird, just a purposeful affection he gave only to me and no one else. Naughty craves attention and will rub on anyone that will let her. BoBo still only tolerates people and her love is special in the sense that you feel so honored when she actually acknowledges you, but she doesn't really like to be petted and loved on. Then there is Cookie. I have another boyfriend kittie! My husband thinks I'm crazy, but I don't care. I really like having that back in my life. Whatever THAT is! I just know that Cookie gives me special lovin that he doesn't give the kids or my husband and he even managed to find my special sleeping spot. My pillow! Oh, how sweet it is to once again slumper to the sweet, sweet sound of purring.

PS But don't tell my daughter. Cookie is her cat!

We're Having a Baby

Okay, well I'm not having a baby, my brother and his wife are! But it feels like the "we" extends further than just them. My brother and his wife have been married for 8 1/2 years and each has a teenage son from previous marriages. WE thought they would have more children, but as the years passed the didn't and I actually thought my brother had been snipped to ensure no more babies. So when my brother called me at exactly 10:05 pm Christmas Eve and told me I was going to be an aunt, I was dumbfounded. I didn't know what to say... my exact words "How? By Who?" Who do you think? "You???" Yeah, really that was me, I'm sure I made him feel bad. Then I asked what the boys thought. He said they gave them a present to unwrap and it was a Razorback onsie. He said Zack kept going through the paper looking for season tickets and Garrett finally said, are we getting a kid? What, your pregnant! And the the boys locked themselves in Zack's bedroom to "discuss" the situation.
I think everyone hearing the news is like what? Really? And then we're all soooo excited. Apparently they tried to have a baby for 6 years even doing fertility treatments and had finally accepted God's will for them and quit trying... well I guss they didn't quit trying just quit hoping for a baby. They were both surprised too! I would love to have been there when Holly told my brother! My family is so excited. I'm excited. I told my sister in law to just get ready bc we really do feel like we're all having a baby. I see this baby as so much more than just a baby. It's something positive to focus on, a shift from the loss of my grandmother. It is also a chance, maybe the last, for my brother and I to become close. Maybe we can share this time and learn to become friends. My own kids are super excited, they love babies especially my son. Yesterday, he told Uncle Darren the new baby would be sleeping in his room! My sister in law will be 38 and my brother will turn 39 a few weeks after the birth. I know they are both nervous. We'll all be praying for them. They went to the DR. today for the first ultra-sound and they were both excited. My brother called me and said they saw arms and legs and the heartbeat. I could hear his excitment. It was nice.