Never Say Never

Picture, you're the queen of everything
As far as the eye can see
Under your command
I will be your guardian
When all is crumbling
I steady your hand

You can never say never
While we don't know when
Time, time, time again
Younger now than we were before



I will try not to overload you with pictures of "The Wedding". My heart is so full of happiness for these newlyweds though. I cried at the ceremony when I saw my Austin tear up, and haven't stopped crying since. Just full of joy for them. That fuzzy headed baby is now a man who has somebody who loves him unconditionally and who he loves equally as much. Oh but Bonita was an absolutely stunning bride. The most beautiful, just glowing.

 

 

I'm really enjoying all the texts and pictures I'm getting from the honeymoon cruise to Alaska.  They truly warm my heart.  His happiness is mine as well.  My husband even keeps asking, "What are they doing now?"  It's a family event.

My children had a great time coming together with family, running wild in the hotel, and swimming in the pool.  I cannot wait to see the pictures that were taken by the photographer.  Out of respect for her and her work, I didn't take that many.  I was promised a disc, and I cannot wait to get it!!

Simple Man........................For Austin

This is for him from her.  She sang it to him all the time, I can close my eyes and hear it.  Just days before he is to be married, I hope he can hear it and remember too.  How absolutely proud she would be of him and what a wonderful man he has become.

Mama told me when I was young
Come sit beside me, my only son
And listen closely to what I say.
And if you do this
It will help you some sunny day.
Take your time... Don't live too fast,
Troubles will come and they will pass.
Go find a woman and you'll find love,
And don't forget son,
There is someone up above.
And be a simple kind of man.
Be something you love and understand.
Be a simple kind of man.
Won't you do this for me son,
If you can?

And the rest is from me.  I'm typing with tears in my eyes.  Missing her, loving him.  Not many know how close we are.  We give each other the most glorious hell. I don't ever want it to change. He is one of my very best friends, he is like a son to me, and he is my baby brother.  I love him fervently. 

He has found his other half.  I cannot imagine a more perfect match.  When you know, you know.  I knew immediately.  This man was smitten. This is so very right.  She would be so very happy.  What a bittersweet week it's going to be.

Boy, don't you worry.
You'll find yourself.
Follow you heart,
and nothing else.
You can do this,
if you try.
All that I want for you my son,
is to be satisfied.

From Hog to Beast

I've been going through tons of old pictures working on a project for Austin's wedding. I discovered these pictures taken on 6-1-2003...the day of his high school graduation. Almost 10 years ago. I'm disgusted. I have to be the close to the largest I ever was. I rarely had my picture taken.....I hated to have my picture taken. I had no self confidence, zero self esteem, and couldn't lift anything but a cheeseburger.  I was very unhappy with myself.  Excuse me, but I was a real porker.. a hog.  That is just the cold hard truth. 

 

Now, ten years later.  Hah, this chick is a beast.  This chick has her pictures taken with her kids...until they can't stand it anymore.  Lift...what can't I lift?  I love to watch myself heft those weights over my head at the gym.  My body is a toned strong work of art.  I can take you to a damned good gun show.   I am still working on the self esteem.  It falters sometimes.  But more times than not it is there.  Perfect, no..I won't ever be.  Happy, I certainly am. 

 

 

A Little Bit Closer

Or A LOT closer.... This wedding we are so looking forward to.  Less than two weeks now, and I'm kinda scrambling.  It's something I do A LOT.  My soon to be sister in law asked me to take some photos of them and I was more than happy to.  Here are a few of my faves.

 

I treated myself to a new DSLR for my upcoming birthday (a big thanks to the hubbster).  I can't wait to use it at the wedding!

 

A newly posted sign above the scale at the YMCA.  I don't weigh there (I get my weigh on first thing in the A.M.).  But, I love it! 

New haircut, new boots....happy little man.

Sixth swimsuit of the season, there will be no more!  My bestie thinks I'll buy at least two more before vacation... I will prove her wrong!

We are ready!!  And after this wedding is over...I need it!

 

 

 

 

 

C'Mon.....

Saw you leaning against that old record machine
Saw the name of your band written on the marquee
It's a full moon tonight so we getting rowdy
Yeah, we gettin' rowdy, get-get-getting rowdy

Let me start by setting the scene.  You are an 11 year old girl that has been planning a Friday night at the skating rink with your friends for a few days.  You've already gotten permission from your parental units.  You've straightened your hair a few times the day of and picked out the perfect outfit, even cleaned your room.  Man, this is going to be so much fun.  Your "boyfriend" is going to be there for the first time ever.  Then, night of all nights...your baby brother says he wants to go...........and your dad agrees to take him.....your mom agrees to go too.  Can this be happening? 

That happened to my sweet Dallas last night.  And she survived.  She had to, because she is only 11 years old....  We didn't bother her.  I did see her as she skated around her hair flowing around her, and she takes my breath away.  Man, she is beautiful.  Boys....stay...away.

This old Carter boy, he was just skating and dancing.  He even did the Hokey Pokey.  I'm so glad Matt agreed to go with him to the skating rink.  I never would have on a Friday night.  I'm not one to brave the preteen hormones.  Mr. Nick is quite the accomplished skater himself.  We've been dropping him off with his sister the past few months as well.  It's sink or skate in that pond, man. 

Carter's "FIRST EVER PROGRAM IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE SCHOOL", as he repeatedly reminded us...was a smashing success.  Matt Jr. and Sr. made it to the evening show.  This made little brother extremely happy. 

My 2 hour Zumbathon at the very same skating rink, was also a good time..and whew a great workout!  Two hours goes by very quickly when you are looking at flashing lights and glowing in the dark. 

Welcome To The New Age

I'm waking up to ash and dust
I wipe my brow and I sweat my rust
I'm breathing in the chemicals

I'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison bus
This is it, the apocalypse

 I'm waking up, I feel it in my bones
Enough to make my systems blow
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Welcome to the new age, to the new age

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, I'm radioactive, radioactive......

 

I listened to that song on repeat the entire time I did my 5k the other morning.  Lurv it!  And it kind of cracks me up because my hubby works at a nuclear power plant.  Things are going really well here.  Still excitedly planning for baby brother's upcoming nuptials.  School days are winding down and vacation planning is ramping up. 

Five.  Five is the number of swimsuits that I've purchased so far.  My hubby asked how many more I was going to buy.  I think I'm done.  I try them on repeatedly.  When I wake up and look at myself and see a flat tummy and a muscular physique..or whenever the mood strikes.  I just can't believe that it's me.  I repeatedly ask Matt, "Are you ok being seen with me in this?"  Hell, I don't know why I can't believe it.  I work my butt off in that gym six days a week, and even at the house...waking up in the wee hours of the morning.  Still, I laugh as I type this...how I've transformed this body.  Welcome to the new age.

The boys have a karate Shiai this weekend.  A little birdy told me that it's going to be big for both of them. This makes me happy!  There is a Glow In The Dark Zumbathon to raise money for Relay for Life this week.... this makes me happy!  And Matt Jr will be turning 14 very soon...I don't know what to think about this...!  All in all ...good things though!

 

 

 

 

Jaws

So maybe I have an irrational fear of sharks.  Or maybe it's not irrational if you are me.  Yesterday at dinner we were all discussing our upcoming vacation (it's that time of year..so close we can taste the saltwater on our lips and feel the sunburn on our skin).  I asked the kids if they were ever scared when they walked waaaay offshore with their dad to the sandbar.  Because, I'm positive that there are sharks out there.  Dolphins have come really close to them, therefore sharks can come really close as well.  Matt Jr. quoted some fact that he had read about deaths each year..and said that only roughly 20 people die each year from shark attacks.  My response was to ask how many had their calf muscles shredded to bits!  "Doesn't it bother you that within a 1 mile radius there could be sharks swimming all around you?"  They all laughed and teased Mom.  They aren't bothered at all.  Sigh, I sit on the beach and watch them on the sandbar...looking for fins.  Last year, as they were preparing to bound into the waves a lady pulled in a bonnet head shark on her fishing pole..right off the beach.  I turned to look at my hubby with the I told you so eyes.  Didn't deter the kids one tiny bit...they went right on into the water after scoping out the shark and taking photos for the lady.  Just as I'm sure our dinner time conversation didn't deter them any..and it didn't convince me to walk my butt out to that sandbar either.  I'm still gonna be knee deep in the water scanning the horizon for Jaws.....  They Are Out There, People!!