Definitely Hard

I was most definitely right last week, being mom is hard. It seemed like some of my teens had lost their mind this weekend. I guess it was only one but originally it seemed that two had. Unfortunately for one, our anger from the others actions carried over to the other situation happening. Thank goodness that we have learned to never address a situation in the heat of anger. It took the entire day but at the end we did talk and gave the consequences for irresponsibility. We decided that with irresponsibility should come more responsibility. I guess we just keep praying that the foundation laid is not lost in the midst of whatever is going on.

Ever Have One of Those Days

Have you ever had one of those days that you feel like your emotions on right on the abloute very edge. They aren't out of control but if someone really took the time to dig past the outer shell you just might crack. They would definitely get more than they bargained for. It kind of feels like your heart is exposed and could either be gently held and nurtured or simply smashed. Today is one of those days.

Being Mom is Hard

Without trying I manage to make at least one of my children mad at me each day. It comes naturally. I don't have to try, it just happens. Simple things really, sometimes I have gone and done it and not even realized what I have done. Other times I know it's going to happen but for their sake and my sanity it must be done. It just really stinks being the bad guy sometimes. I just hope they realize what I do is done out of love.

From Boy to Man or Should I Say Soldier

Well today I watched my nephew graduate from Army basic training. We, being his mom, sister, girlfriend, grandma, grandpa, brothers, and myself couldn't have been any more proud of him. There were a number of tears shed today. He has loved his Army experience so far and is looking forward to what his future holds. He will be headed off for AIT tomorrow (advanced individual training) for the next 7 weeks, then home for 2 weeks, off to Airborne school for 2 weeks and 4 days, then for Ranger training. He's excited! Better yet he's happy. As we were visiting with John a number of people he's been with the past 10 weeks came up to him, wished him well and one even thanked him. She introduce her son, who was about 4, to John as the man whom without she would have never qualified. She said he spent 4 hours with her helping her to qualify on arms. There was also a father and a daughter who both just graduated. They were in the same, unit/company. What an incredible experience to share with each other.

With 1100 graduating today, I am sure the stories were in abundance. I would have loved to have heard some of the stories but I am grateful for the one I do know. My nephew's. He was an extremely difficult child, I reminded him today of when he climbed up on his mothers kitchen counter and peed in the peanut butter (he didn't remember it but he did it). He drank bleach, never harmed him. He has been through a lot of hard situations. Some self imposed, some not. Now though, he seems like he has direction, a good direction, a positive future to head towards. He was strong willed as a child and now he is strong minded as a soldier. I am so proud of him!

Can't Sleep

It's almost 5 a.m., I have been up since 3. Can't sleep, don't know why. Just sitting here thinking about the weekend, the highs and lows of it all.

Highs:

New water heater installed
Door fixed
Kids covered work
Spending time with amazing friends
Spending time with my mother-in-law
Worked ND Volleyball (earn awesome freebies)
Started mudding in the dining room, 1st coat is on :)
Actually seeing and spending time with my hubby

Lows

Having to replace the water heater
Teenage drama...oh my goodness you have no idea...really, you have no idea

Well as I process this it is evident that the good out weighs the bad. I really did have a good weekend. Now it's almost time to get ready for the day. Work and then off to South Carolina for a few days. My nephew is graduating from basic training. He has made some very poor choices in the past, I keep praying that with this new venture in his life he will make far better choices. I love this guy...fortunately he knows Jesus so I know it's just a matter of time before he gets back on track...I hope he's there.

Handyman and Amazing Kids

My husband has become Mr. Handyman this weekend. He has not only fixed the hot water heater, he also replaced the broken glass in our front door!!!

Then to say my kids are AMAZING would be an understatement! Zach and Hilary work with me on the weekend. They help me clean an office building. They did the whole building without me yesterday! They are so great!

Hot Water Hero

Yesterday I was fussing about not wanting to make dinner and as I was sitting here blogging about it I heard a noise. It only lasted a couple of seconds and along with the noise the power flickered. A little while later it happened again. I went down stairs and checked things out, like I know what I'm looking at. Of course I found nothing unusual. So I did what any good wife would do, I called my honey and told him. I went on about my business, took a shower and went to turn on the dryer, that's when I found the problem. There was a rather large puddle of water escaping from the water heater. Kind of like the bounty commercial...it's a three sheeter...except this was a three bath toweler. Of course I did again what all good wives do, called my husband. Unfortunately this took him away from his plans of an afternoon with his mom, sorry mom. He came home and very calmly examined the situation and got a list of needed materials and off to Menards we went. Now if you don't know my husband very well he can be easily frustrated with this type of unexpected home improvement project, especially considering the conditions of the installation. Our heating ducts are positioned approximately 1 inch above the water heater, he never said a word about it, just assessed the problem and moved along. I am so proud of him for that. Anyway, we get home he begins to start the removal process of the old one. I had to leave I had a prior commitment that I could not miss, I'm sure this was a God thing considering spouses don't always work together the best in situations like this one. When I got home the old one was almost drained so we ate dinner, which by the way Matins cooked (deli chicken), and they removed the old one. In just a short time the new one was installed. Bob connected the electric and it was just a matter of time before we had hot water. I went ahead and went to bed. When I got up this morning I expected hot water, it was still cold. I assumed Bob already knew this but I did not want to be the one to tell him, just in case he didn't. He just calmly asked, "was the water hot?" I replied, "no." He simply said, "I figured." He went to the hardware store, came home, worked on it a few minutes and now we have hot water! He is now my, Hot Water Hero! He laughs but I'm serious! No hot water...a BIG deal. Fixing the problem...even BIGGER deal!

All this to say I am so thankful that God worked it all out! He kept 60 gallons of water from exploding all over my basement (which is my bedroom), that when we bought the new heater it was about 70.00 off the original price, and through the removal and installation process God blessed Bob with such a great attitude and even temper! If it had to go out...God couldn't have done it any better! Go figure...He's just amazing that way.